Pope's Immunity Could Be Challenged In Britain

[DeSwiss]

Pope's Immunity Could Be Challenged In Britain

By PAISLEY DODDS, Associated Press Writer
Sun Apr 4, 11:27 am ET



LONDON – Protests are growing against Pope Benedict XVI's planned trip to Britain, where some lawyers question whether the Vatican's implicit statehood status should shield the pope from prosecution over sex crimes by pedophile priests.

More than 10,000 people have signed a petition on Downing Street's web site against the pope's 4-day visit to England and Scotland in September, which will cost U.K. taxpayers an estimated 15 million pounds ($22.5 million). The campaign has gained momentum as more Catholic sex abuse scandals have swept across Europe.

Although Benedict has not been accused of any crime, senior British lawyers are now examining whether the pope should have immunity as a head of state and whether he could be prosecuted under the principle of universal jurisdiction for an alleged systematic cover-up of sexual abuses by priests.

Universal jurisdiction — a concept in international law — allows judges to issue warrants for nearly any visitor accused of grievous crimes, no matter where they live. British judges have been more open to the concept than those in other countries.

Lawyers are divided over the immunity issue. Some argue that the Vatican isn't a true state, while others note the Vatican has national relations with about 170 countries, including Britain. The Vatican is also the only non-member to have permanent observer status at the U.N. Then again, no other top religious leaders enjoy the same U.N. privileges or immunity, so why should the pope?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100404/ap_on_re_eu/eu_britain_pope">MORE

- DISCLAIMER: Contrary to recent "arguments" being made by some religionist apologists -- in posting this article I am not Catholic-bashing. In fact, I'm an equal-opportunity basher of all religions. So you're really not that special, okay?

In point of fact I think all religions are equally stupid ideas for a modern, educated and rational people to continue follow. Its just superstition people and you need to wake the fuck up!

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DeSwiss


http://www.atheisttoolbox.com/">The Atheist Toolbox





"Popes, like Republicans, are NEVER guilty of anything. In fact, they’re all as pure as freshly driven snow so anything which paints them in an
unfavorable light is merely a lie and an attempt by evil-doers to smear them. Got that? They’re innocent. They’re always innocent." -- Mario Piperni http://mariopiperni.com/religion/can-they-impeach-a-pope.php">Link

[xchrom]

1. 'wake the fuck up-itis' is stupider than

Non religious folk calling out religious folk.

[DeSwiss]

2. Thank you for your opinion. n/t

[iris27]

3. The Pope clearly needs to wear a fauxhawk more often.

It makes him look less like Emperor Palpatine and more like a really old David Beckham.

[DeSwiss]

4. I think it's a little late in the day.....

...for him to improve his image.

[iris27]

6. True...true... n/t

[LiberalFighter]

5. There is absolutely no reason why the Vatican should be treated as a country

and given special country status treatment for protection or other purposes at the expense of the country he visits.

Are other religious leaders given this special protection?

[DeSwiss]

9. I agree.

- I mean it's not like he were The Emperor of New York, or something.....

[FBaggins]

7. "implicit" statehood?

England either does or does not recognize The Vatican as a nation. If it does then there's little to discuss from a prosecution standpoint (though you could talk sanctions or deny him entry to the country. If not then you could charge him... Though you still
have big problems actually prosecuting (let alone punishing) him.

[DeSwiss]

10. I vote "No."

- Arrest the bastard(s).

[ZombieHorde]

8. Recommended. nt

[DeSwiss]

11. ....

[EvolveOrConvolve]

12. As much as I'd love to see the pope hog-walked to a British jail

I think it's a really bad idea. Instead, they need to start arresting, prosecuting, and incarcerating the individuals in the church who are committing all these crimes. If it doesn't stop, label the catholic church as a criminal organization and start seizing assets. Hitting them in the pocketbook will go a long ways towards forcing compliance with basic laws against molesting children and covering it up.

The U.S. and the U.K. are good places to start since we're countries that are pretty good at locking people up.

[rug]

13. If you believe this you'll believe anything.