Vatican Could be Sued Over Sex Abuse Cover Up

Back in 2003 it came out that the the Vatican issued a directive 40 years ago instructing senior Catholics to cover up cases of sexual abuse or face excommunication. The order, written in Latin, was sent from the Vatican in 1962 and is marked with the seal of Pope John XXIII. The document states: "Matters should be pursued in a most secretive way . . . they are to be restrained by a perpetual silence . . . and everyone pertaining to the tribunal in any way . . . is to observe the strictest secret, which is commonly regarded as a secret of the Holy Office . . . under the penalty of excommunication." Now that document may be about to bite the Vatican in its big, corrupt, swishy queen ass. As the UK's Telegraph is reporting, the Vatican may be forced to come clean - or at least cleaner than it ever has to date - and face the music on its conspiracy to cover up the sexual abuse of children.. Here are some story highlights:

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Three men who claim they were abused by priests in America have succeeded in naming the Vatican as the only defendant in a lawsuit, The Guardian reported. The men hope that Pope Benedict XVI, who headed the Vatican department charged investigating abuse by clergy for 24 years, will give evidence in the case.

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The plaintiffs are allowed to proceed with their case that Vatican officials covered up evidence of sexual abuse by American priests after the 6th US circuit court of appeal ruled that they could.
Previously, the Vatican has been immune from most lawsuits because it is seen as a sovereign state.

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William F McMurray, who represents the men, said the document makes the Vatican liable for any crimes that were kept secret because of the directive, The Guardian reported. The men allege that they were abused between the 1920s and 1970s and are seeking class action status on behalf of all US victims, it was reported. The Catholic Church in America has already paid out more than £1.3bn since 1950.