There is a legal premise which holds that a corporation can be held criminally (and civilly) liable if an officer of the corporation commits an act in his official capacity as an officer.

I believe an attempt was made to indict the Roman Catholic Church as an entity in a criminal court in the U.S. in a sexual abuse case.

If it happened, this would be the worst thing that ever happened to the Church in the United States. Especially, if the Church was found guilty.

Please pray that this does not happen and that the Church is purged of this scandal and the people who perpetrated it.

God Bless,

-- john placette (jplacette@catholic.org), February 07, 2003

Answers

It would appear this mind a difficult and fully packed court room where THE Church brought forward to a hearing. Various cultures and practises differ from continent to continet. Eg: in parts of The middle Americas should a priest not have a female love(r) then he is considered untrusthworthy.

I friend who recently returned commented on this fact which I believe.

-- jean bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), February 08, 2003.

Fornication is not a cultural practice. 1 Cor 6:9-10 applies the same in Central America as anywhere else on the planet.

-- Paul (PaulCyp@cox.net), February 09, 2003.

If that happens and the church will be accused, what do you think - would there be more of those unjustly accused or more of those liable?

-- (onewho@knows.what), February 09, 2003.

I have heard that each individual parish is incorporated separately, as is the diocese, so I don't think they could go after that angle.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 09, 2003.

John,

It wouldn't bother me much. A lot of beautiful *things* would be lost, but if it ALSO weeded out the bad eggs from the Church, it would be well worth it.

Frnak

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), February 12, 2003.