Seven New York abuse victims have filed class action lawsuits against the Vatican in Manhattan federal court. The Holy See acted negligently because information was kept secret by priests.
This is reported by several US media. The lawsuit filed on Tuesday (local time) said the Holy See acted negligently in instructing its bishops around the world to cover up clerical sexual abuse, according to the tabloid New York Post.
Billions in compensation
The victims are therefore represented by Jeff Herman, a specialist in abuse lawsuits. Herman said a successful lawsuit could cost the Vatican billions of dollars in compensation. “We now know that Holy See policies directed bishops to keep information about sexually abused children secret by priests,” said Herman.
On Tuesday, Pope Francis lifted the so-called Papal Secret for the Prosecution of Abuse Offenses. Among other things, this means that victims can no longer be obliged to maintain secrecy. Cooperation between the ecclesiastical and secular judiciary will also be facilitated in the future. The confessional secret remains strictly protected. The new instruction takes effect immediately.
New York State Child Protection Act
The class action was made possible by a New York State Child Protection Act of August, which removes the twelve-month statute of limitations. Victims of sexual abuse by clergymen can temporarily assert claims that are decades old. US media quoted lawyer Marci Hamilton from the University of Pennsylvania as saying that lawsuits against a sovereign state are difficult and always “a shot in the dark”.
–
