What seemed implausible at first glance, is becoming more and more likely by the day. Pope Benedict was forced out of office to avoid being charged with heinous crimes while holding the office of Pope. Most realize the Vatican has been covering up child sex abuse scandals all over the world involving their priests. But this is the equivalent of an arrest warrant being served on the President. While most think he deserves it, you just never think it could actually happen.
By Brett Wilkins
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/343898#ixzz2LUyleLwn
By Brett Wilkins
Rome - By remaining in the Vatican after resigning later this month, Pope Benedict XVI will enjoy immunity from prosecution in connection with the global epidemic of clergy sex abuse claims.
The Pope's decision to live in the Vatican City, a sovereign state, after his retirement means that he will be protected by both Vatican security and diplomatic immunity.
"His continued presence in the Vatican is necessary, otherwise he might be defenseless," a Vatican official told Reuters under the condition of anonymity. "He wouldn't have his immunity, his prerogatives, his security if he is anywhere else."
The source added that the pontiff should lead a "dignified existence" for the rest of his life.
Under the Lateran Pacts, the 1929 treaty between Italy and the Holy See that established the Vatican City as a sovereign state, those with Vatican citizenship enjoy immunity even if they travel into Italy. The Pope also enjoys diplomatic immunity as an official head of state. Efforts by renowned British evolutionary biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins and the late British-American author Christopher Hitchens to have Benedict arrested and prosecuted during a 2010 visit to Britain came to naught because of the Pontiff's diplomatic immunity.
But such immunity means that Benedict, whose pre-papal name was Joseph Ratzinger, would not be eligible for prosecution in connection with the worldwide epidemic of Catholic clergy sex abuse, mostly of children. Critics claim Ratzinger was instrumental in covering up allegations of abuse and protecting offending priests and other clergy.
"His record is terrible," David Clohessy, US executive director of Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), told the Guardian. "Before he became pope, his predecessor put him in charge of abuse claims."
"He has read thousands of pages of reports of the abuse cases from around the world," Clohessy continued. "He knows more about clergy sex crimes and cover-ups than anyone else in the church yet he has done precious little to protect children."
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/343898#ixzz2LUyleLwn
