The YoungWorld

Mexihco

Hague court urged to investigate Pope over sex abuse

Do you think it has a chance?

Fort Europe · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 8:52 am Post subject:

No, not a chance at all. This is merely a couple of small American activists groups who have rounded up the support of a few lawyers associated with the International Complaints Commission to take on Catholicism itself.

The first problem is, the majority of the crimes they are arguing over occurred prior to 2002 when the ICC was created, and therefore have no powers over those cases.

The second fundamental problem is that the Vatican does not recognise the ICC, either officially or unofficially, having refused to sign up to the Court's letter of jurisdiction when passed in 2002, or since.

The third of course is that while America primarily, and the many other nations that have followed suit, have extensive laws against the abuse of power over minors, the Vatican which is an independent nation in its own right does not.

By choice, and a completely legal choice at that, the Vatican has never changed it's laws on sexual rights in keeping with many other nations. It should also be noted that many predominantly Catholic nations have also maintained less stringent laws.

Meanwhile, until very recently Vatican preachers across the world were not subject to any laws other than those of the Vatican. This has changed since 2002, with priests forced to follow local laws as well as those of the Vatican.

In conclusion though, the fact of the matter is that the pope and the three others being targeted are quite safe and perfectly within the law to carry on as they have been, however wrong these American campaigners believe it is. Americans must learn that they can not dictate laws to the world!
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scrivneria · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:35 am Post subject:

It.would be nice if the activist types would learn that. Then the rest of us could stop being embarrassed about being here!
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With my seal and blessing -Scrivneria, Grand Master

Fort Europe · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2011 1:51 pm Post subject:

Especially the campaigners, but also your politicians and lawyers as well.
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Nataniel · Private First Class Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Posts: 164

My question is why does the Vatican choose not to tighten its laws?