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