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Lawyer Anderson makes new bid to sue Pope

CWN - May 11, 2011

Attorney Jeffrey Anderson, who has made multiple efforts to lodge a sex-abuse lawsuit against the Vatican, has filed a new suit charging that two Pontiffs--Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI--should be held responsible for the abuse committed by a former Chicago priest, Daniel McCormack.

Anderson's client has already won a hefty financial settlement from the Chicago archdiocese, on the basis of claims that archdiocesan officials were negligent in supervising McCormack. That negligence was not difficult to demonstrate, since McCormick had remained in active ministry despite multiple reports of abuse.

Now Anderson is looking for new damages, filing a suit against the Vatican. He argues that the Pope exercised supervisory authority over priests in the Chicago archdiocese. That argument clashes with canon law, which gives diocesan bishops the authority to discipline their own priests.

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  • Posted by: virgy5944 - May. 13, 2011 3:27 PM ET USA

    The sin of greed has made this lawyer a very aggressive person. Perhaps when this lawyer, clients, and news media realize that the innocent church members have to pay for the sinful acts, sanity will win over greed. We need prayer for these people.

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