Lawyers claim Pope Benedict XVI obstructed justice 


The Observer reported that while Pope Benedict XVI was head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he "issued an order [in May 2001] ensuring the church's investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret." The order claimed the church had the right to keep evidence confidential for up to 10 years after victims reached 18 years of age, which meant that the guilty priests would likely not be prosecuted. 

The Observer said that lawyers working for abuse victims "accuse Ratzinger [now Pope Benedict XVI] of committing a 'clear obstruction of justice'." 

Posted: Sunday - April 24, 2005 at 12:23 AM          

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