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Vatican Can Be Sued for Abuse: US Court

Ruling finds that Vatican can be held responsible for priests' actions

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 5, 2009 3:35 AM CST

(Newser) – A federal court has ruled that the Vatican hierarchy can be sued for sexual abuse committed by priests, the Los Angeles Times reports. Judges decided that a man—who says he was molested by a priest in the '60s—can proceed with his lawsuit against the Vatican, even though it's a sovereign nation, because the alleged abuse occurred while the priest was an employee.

The ruling, which is being hailed as a watershed decision for abuse victims, "sets the standard for the whole world that there really can be justice for one victim even though he's a victim of one powerful organization," said a law professor who assisted the plaintiff. "We now have a template for understanding that anyone who harms our children in the US is going to be held accountable whether they're sovereign or not."

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A demonstrator holds a sign reading "Sexual abuses, stop the Vatican cover-up" during a demonstration in St. Peter's square. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

Demonstrators hold posters reading "Sexual abuses, stop the Vatican cover-up" in Rome, in front of St. Peter's square, Friday, June 22, 2007. In background is the St. Peter's Basilica. (AP Photo/Riccardo De Luca)

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Is the Vatican potentially liable for child molesting? The answer to that question is yes if—and only if—you can show that the priest was engaged in conduct as an employee of
the Vatican.
- G. Robert Blakey, a professor of law at the University of Notre Dame

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Vatican Can Be Sued for Abuse: US Court