In a 59 page decision issued yesterday, a three judge panel in Portland Oregon ruled that a man who was sexually assaulted in the 1960s by a priest can pursue his civil lawsuit for damages against the Holy See. It's the first time in history that a victim has won this right.
Attorneys for the victim argue that in a rigid hierarchy like the Catholic church, decisions come from Vatican, so it's crucial that the Vatican be held responsible for on-going cover ups of clergy sex crimes. "They say the ruling sends a clear signal that anyone who enables American kids to be molested will face legal consequences. It will help prevent future child assaults and cover ups of those assaults. It also signals that the Vatican is not above the law."
The case involves Fr. Andrew Ronan, who is accused of molesting kids in his native Ireland. He was then sent to Chicago, where he allegedly abused three boys, and finally transferred to an Oregon Catholic school, where he reportedly assaulted the victim in this case. Ronan is now deceased.
The case was argued by Professor Marci Hamilton of Philadelphia, a Cardozo law school faculty member. Defending the Vatican was attorney Jeff Lena of Berkeley, CA.
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