Europe Court Dismisses Case Looking to Hold Vatican Accountable For Decades of Abuse
- 3 years ago
Europe Court Dismisses Case, Looking to Hold Vatican Accountable, For Decades of Abuse.
On October 12, a European court ruled that the Vatican could not be held liable for sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests or other clergy members.
ABC reports that the court pointed to the Vatican's sovereign immunity which protects the Holy See from accountability.
Two dozen people in Belgium who said they were
victims of abusive priests brought a case before
the European Court of Human Rights.
Two dozen people in Belgium who said they were
victims of abusive priests brought a case before
the European Court of Human Rights.
The 24 victims argued the Holy See should be
liable for decades of covered up cases involving
priests who raped and molested children.
The 24 victims argued the Holy See should be
liable for decades of covered up cases involving
priests who raped and molested children.
Belgian courts ruled the plaintiffs had no jurisdiction
because of the Vatican's immunity as a sovereign state.
The higher European court supported
the decision of the Belgian court.
Judge Darian Pavli disputed
the Belgian court’s ruling regarding
the sovereign authority of the pope.
Judge Darian Pavli disputed
the Belgian court’s ruling regarding
the sovereign authority of the pope.
He argued Belgian judges failed to consider evidence that the pope hires and fires bishops.
He also pointed
to the Vatican's policy
of silence over the handling
of abuse cases worldwide.
He also pointed
to the Vatican's policy
of silence over the handling
of abuse cases worldwide.
Pavli went on to say the European tribunal
should have found that the victims
had been deprived of access to a court.
ABC reports that the Vatican has
successfully argued in U.S. courts
that the pope is not the boss of his bishops.
The ruling has blocked attempts by victims who have similarly tried to hold the Holy See and the pope accountable for the abuse they suffered
On October 12, a European court ruled that the Vatican could not be held liable for sexual abuse committed by Catholic priests or other clergy members.
ABC reports that the court pointed to the Vatican's sovereign immunity which protects the Holy See from accountability.
Two dozen people in Belgium who said they were
victims of abusive priests brought a case before
the European Court of Human Rights.
Two dozen people in Belgium who said they were
victims of abusive priests brought a case before
the European Court of Human Rights.
The 24 victims argued the Holy See should be
liable for decades of covered up cases involving
priests who raped and molested children.
The 24 victims argued the Holy See should be
liable for decades of covered up cases involving
priests who raped and molested children.
Belgian courts ruled the plaintiffs had no jurisdiction
because of the Vatican's immunity as a sovereign state.
The higher European court supported
the decision of the Belgian court.
Judge Darian Pavli disputed
the Belgian court’s ruling regarding
the sovereign authority of the pope.
Judge Darian Pavli disputed
the Belgian court’s ruling regarding
the sovereign authority of the pope.
He argued Belgian judges failed to consider evidence that the pope hires and fires bishops.
He also pointed
to the Vatican's policy
of silence over the handling
of abuse cases worldwide.
He also pointed
to the Vatican's policy
of silence over the handling
of abuse cases worldwide.
Pavli went on to say the European tribunal
should have found that the victims
had been deprived of access to a court.
ABC reports that the Vatican has
successfully argued in U.S. courts
that the pope is not the boss of his bishops.
The ruling has blocked attempts by victims who have similarly tried to hold the Holy See and the pope accountable for the abuse they suffered