Is it right to sue the Catholic Church for the unsanctioned behavior of pedophile priests?

Question

Church doctrine clearly condemns 'sins of the flesh', so why should the Church culpable when priests violate 'company policy'?

Is going after employers for the unsanctioned behavior of employees in the interest of justice, or in the interest of attorney profit margins?

Answer 1

I read somewhere that the State of California relaxed its statue of limitations on pedophile crimes so that cases 40 and 50 years old could be brought to court against the Church. How fair is that? If the statue of limitations was 10 years, that meant that anyone sexually abused (by their uncle, mother, grandfather, teacher, coach, priest, etc.) has ten years from the date of the abuse to report the crime and seek compensation for damages. If they do not and the time limit passes, then the case is considered dead and nothing can be done.

However, from what I read, the California legislature decided to suspend the statue of limitations JUST FOR cases against the Catholic Church. If that’s not anti-Catholic bias, I don’t know what is. What about all the other abuse cases – grandfather against grandson/daughter, uncle against niece/nephew, teacher against student, etc.? Why wasn’t the statue suspended for those cases as well? Why target just the Catholic Church?

My answer? Money.

Found the article about California: http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=23779&page=3

Answer 2

The reason that people are winning these lawsuits is because the Catholic Church KNEW about the behavior, and instead of treating it as a criminal matter (reporting the priest to the police, for example) the church treated it as merely a moral failing of the priest...in much the same manner as if he had a "problem" with alcohol or gambling. And in many cases, the church didn't even take appropriate steps to ensure that the priest would not be in position to continue the behavior in the future.

Answer 3

In Philippine setting, The State can not the sue the Church. There is an absolute separation between the Church and the State. I firmly believed that the Church has its moral obligation to imposed sanctions on their erring priests. This is not a big shame to the Church but to the whole Catholics. These people who does the lustful acts must be condemned by the Church outright. they don't really deserve to serve and preach the teachings of the Lord.

Answer 4

I believe in justice where the victim gets compensation. As for the Church ... I believe they teach "Penance" and should practice what is preached ... however, I'm against payment for "Dead Priests" actions. Sure I know the victim is still hurt, but why now?

It's not good when the US govt goes after private entities (like the Church, daycares, and private schools) but says that a child molestation by a government employee (Senator, Cop, Teacher, Homeland Security officer, etc-etc-etc) is only worth $50,000.00 IF it's reported within 180 days. Sounds like if you're a pedophile ... you should become a government worker and then you'll be part of the "Boys Club" (pun intended).

Hey, that Senator who appointed himself to the head of an appropriation committee to stop child molestation ... only to be caught "Grooming" several 14 year old boys should be held to the same standards as the Priests. Even worse in my mind is a cop who uses guns to get young boys ... but, atlas, they're govt workers so the victim doesn't get satisfaction. Holding equality between "Public" and "Private" the legal system should be equal ... so if a dead Priest is sued ... then a dead Public School Teacher should also compensate for transgressions against childreen. EQUALITY!!!!

Under all of these ... Priest, Senator, Cop, Computer programer ... most all child molesters & pedophiles get realeased by the govt. Then the govt says, "Here's a list of the boogy-men ... past this we relinquish resonsablitites ... " WTF???

Answer 5

The reason that people are suing the Catholic Church is because the priests in question were representing the Church at the time of their transgressions.

If they are on private non-church property and neither wearing church clothing nor acting as the childs priest, then leave the Church out of it.

However, most of the priests in question were acting as the child's priest and were often preying on alter boys or children met through the role as priest. This is why the Church is being held liable.

If I commit a crime while acting as a direct representative of my employer, my employer may be held liable, regardless of whether they sanction such acts.

Answer 6

I don't think the sins of the priests are the fault of the church, but the COVER-UP of the sins are another matter. Transfering a pedophile priest to another parrish when there's trouble vs throwing him out of the preisthood and turning him over to the police DOES make the church culpable.

Answer 7

Any employer is responsible when an employee violates company policy on company time or company property.

If a police officer kills someone in violation of police police, the police is still liable.

If a grocery store employee injures a customer during a violation of company policy, the store is still liable.

With love in Christ.

Answer 8

Pedophile priests are employees who abuse their positions while under inadequate supervision. The church has a duty to police itself.

Answer 9

On your first and second question only: the priests 'are' the Church; and the Church, the priests, however you could wish to argue and spin it. On your third: what extrapolation !

Answer 10

if the Church knew about the behavior and just ignored the behavior and then awarded said priest with a new congragation or should i say new set of victims -- then they should be held accountable for not getting rid of the letch instead of turning a blind eye