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NewsPapers
- -10-07-05 Judge Gives Vatican Immunity on Abuse Case (USA Today)
"A federal judge in Kentucky has ruled that the Holy See is a foreign state that enjoys certain immunity protections, placing restrictions on a lawsuit by three men who allege the Vatican covered up the sexual abuse of children by priests.
"The ruling is significant because it says that the Holy See's religious activity is irrelevant to the immunity protections it enjoys as a foreign state. It could have implications for other cases in which the Holy See is named as a defendant in the clerical sexual abuse scandal." 9-05
- 08-01-05 Report: Police Concealed Abuses (Fox News)
"Police helped the Catholic Diocese of Toledo (search) cover up sex abuse allegations for several decades, refusing to investigate or arrest priests suspected of molesting children, a newspaper reported Sunday." 08-05
- 04-07-05 Disgraced Priest Given Position of Honor in Funeral (CBS News)
"Cardinal Bernard Law, who resigned in disgrace as archbishop of Boston over his role in the clergy sex abuse crisis, has been given a role of honor in the mourning for Pope John Paul II."
" 'It certainly shows and puts a spotlight on the lack of accountability in the Catholic Church, that the most visible bishop in the clergy sexual abuse crisis has been given these honorary opportunities,' she [Suzanne Morse, spokeswoman for Voice of the Faithful] said." 04-05
- 04-23-05 The Observer: Pope "Obstructed" Abuse Inquiry (Guardian Unlimited)
"Pope Benedict XVI faced claims last night he had 'obstructed justice' after it emerged he issued an order ensuring the church's investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret."
"The order was made in a confidential letter, obtained by The Observer, which was sent to every Catholic bishop in May 2001."
"It asserted the church's right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached adulthood. The letter was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected as John Paul II's successor last week."
"Lawyers acting for abuse victims claim it was designed to prevent the allegations from becoming public knowledge or being investigated by the police. They accuse Ratzinger of committing a 'clear obstruction of justice'." 04-05
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