First Sexual Abuse Case Ever Filed against Catholic Church in Poland

Fars News Agency
February 8, 2014

http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13921119000346


TEHRAN (FNA)- A 25-year-old man identified only as Marcin K filed suit against the Polish Roman Catholic Church, alleging that the church is at least partly responsible for the sexual abuse the man suffered at the hands of a clergyman who is now serving a two-year prison sentence.

It is the first time in Poland that a victim sued not only his attacker but also the church as an institution, RT reported.

Higher-ups in the Polish church apologized to all victims of abuse last year but refused to offer financial compensation.

The UN has called on the Vatican to "immediately remove" all clergy suspected of child abuse but, in this case, the church has said it is not liable because the priest in question acted "independently" within his parish.

Marcin K is seeking 47,500 euros ($64,500) in damages as well as an apology printed in the national press.

The Helsinki Foundation human rights group is helping the plaintiff in his case.