Judge Lets Abuse Case Against Vatican Stand
A federal judge in Portland ruled that a sex abuse lawsuit against the Vatican could move forward with its claim that the Holy See bore responsibility for a priest who was transferred from city to city even though he was known to be a molester.
U.S. District Judge Michael W. Mosman said in his decision that there were exceptions to the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act, under which the Vatican is typically immune from the jurisdiction of U.S. courts.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. June 10, 2006 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday June 10, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 41 words Type of Material: Correction
Lawsuit against Vatican: A news brief in Thursday’s Section A said a priest cited in a sex abuse lawsuit filed against the Vatican died in 1970. Father Andrew Ronan died in 1992, according to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Ore.
Rejecting the church’s bid to dismiss the case, Mosman ruled that there was enough of a connection between the Vatican and the priest, who died in 1970, for him to be considered a Vatican employee under Oregon law.
No one has ever successfully sued the Vatican over molestation by Roman Catholic priests.
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