UNITED STATES
ABA Journal
Posted Mar 6, 2013
By Debra Cassens Weiss
Will Pope Benedict XVI lose legal protections because of his retirement in actions seeking to hold the Vatican accountable for failing to stop clergy abuse?
The answer is no, according to Jeffrey Lena, a U.S. attorney for the Vatican. He maintains that Benedict would have the same legal immunity as other high-ranking officials, the Associated Press reports. The Vatican has legal treaties that govern relations with several countries that could provide additional legal protections.
But Minnesota lawyer Jeff Anderson, who has filed several clergy abuse lawsuits, says the pope’s decision to retire could create legal problems if he travels outside the Vatican and a government decides to take action against him.
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