Vatican could be sued over alleged sex abuse

Vatican could be sued over alleged sex abuse


The Vatican is set to be sued over sex abuse claims, it has been reported.



Three men who claim they were abused by priests in America have succeeded in naming the Vatican as the only defendant in a lawsuit, The Guardian reported.

The men hope that Pope Benedict XVI, who headed the Vatican department charged investigating abuse by clergy for 24 years, will give evidence in the case.
The plaintiffs are allowed to proceed with their case that Vatican officials covered up evidence of sexual abuse by American priests after the 6th US circuit court of appeal ruled that they could.
Previously, the Vatican has been immune from most lawsuits because it is seen as a sovereign state.
The men's case focuses on a 1962 directive from the Vatican telling church staff to hide sex abuse complaints against them, the newspaper said.
William F McMurray, who represents the men, said the document makes the Vatican liable for any crimes that were kept secret because of the directive, The Guardian reported.
The men allege that they were abused between the 1920s and 1970s and are seeking class action status on behalf of all US victims, it was reported.
The Catholic Church in America has already paid out more than £1.3bn since 1950. (from timesonline)