The International Criminal Court rejected a request by SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests), to investigate Benedict XVI for crimes against humanity over the priestly sex abuse scandal. SNAP is an abuse victims’ advocacy group based in the United States.
“The Holy See’s press office director, Father Federico Lombardi said, “We have always thought that the Court would answer this way, given the unfounded accusation.”
SNAP had asked the court to investigate Benedict XVI and certain cardinals in a letter dated May 31. Claiming that the matter does not fall within their jurisdiction, the court said there is “no basis” for the network’s claims that the abuse was perpetrated by the Vatican.
Arguing that Pope Benedict and other top Vatican officials had established policies that allowed abuse to continue. SNAP had claimed that “cases of pedophilia by priests should have been investigated as crimes against humanity.”
Numerous court cases in various countries have documented how the church covered up abuse in various ways, and perpetrated further abuse by shifting accused priests to other dioceses.
The Catholic Church may have escaped the International Criminal Court, but they will be judged one day, not only on the outward facts, but the motives and the intents of the heart.
“For strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.” Revelation 18:8
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