US appeals court allows sex-abuse lawsuit against Vatican

March 04, 2009

A 3-judge US federal appeals court has ruled that an Oregon man can proceed with a sex-abuse lawsuit in which he names the Holy See as a defendant. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that although the Holy See is ordinarily immune from lawsuits as a sovereign nation, in this case the plaintiff has presented credible evidence that the priest who allegedly molested him "was an employee of the Holy See acting within the scope of his employment."

 

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Further information:

• Vatican can be sued for acts of parish priest, appellate panel says (Sacramento Bee)
• Vatican Can Be Sued Over Abuse (New York Times)