BishopAccountability.org
	Court Rules Catholic Diocese can't be Sued in Abuse Case Associated Press, carried in WDBJ June 8, 2007 http://www.wdbj7.com/Global/story.asp?S=6631897&nav=S6aK Richmond - The Virginia Supreme Court today rejected a man's attempt to hold the Roman Catholic Diocese of Richmond financially liable for his alleged abuse by two priests. The unanimous ruling affirmed a lower court's finding that only individuals -- NOT their employers -- can be sued for child sexual abuse. Steve Kopalchick of Hopewell sued the diocese for five million dollars in 2003. He claimed two priests at Saint James Catholic Church in Hopewell molested him while he served as an altar boy there in the 1960s. A 1994 state constitutional amendment extended the statute of limitations for child abuse victims to file lawsuits, but also said such civil suits can only be filed against a "natural person." The Supreme Court said the diocese clearly is NOT a "natural person."
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