Irish court ruling may leave sexual abuse victims powerless

Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

Sexual abuse victims in Ireland may no longer be able to sue the Catholic Church for damages if a landmark court ruling determines priests are not considered as employees.

In a case heard this month the Church claimed it is not “vicariously liable” for priests’ actions.

This is the first time the Church has used the argument in open court and a legal precedent will be established if the ruling favours the Church.

Irish President, Mary McAleese has called on Church leaders to “urgently reflect on how, by coherent and effective action, it can restore public trust and confidence in its stated object of putting children first.”

The church’s defence has been condemned by lawyers. “I think the Catholic church’s attempt to avoid responsibility for the abhorrent actions of one of its priests is nothing short of scandalous,” said Richard Scorer of the law firm Pannone, which specialises in abuse cases.

“The Catholic church would be better served by facing up to its responsibilities rather than trying to hide behind spurious employment law arguments.”

The ruling is being made as part of a preliminary hearing into a case of a person who claims to have been abused as a 6 year old in a children’s home run by nuns, the English province of Our Lady of Charity.

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