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Shasown · 14-04-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Plans to have the Pope arrested when he visits the UK will succeed because he is not a head of state, a solicitor has said

Atheist authors Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens proposed the action against the Pontiff for his handling of child abuse scandals in the Catholic church.

The writers' solicitor Mark Stephens said applications will be made to courts in the UK and the International Criminal Court for a warrant for Pope Benedict XVI's arrest.

His likely defence would be be that he is immune from prosecution during his visit to Britain in September, according to the lawyer.

Mr Stephens said: "The courts will examine the claim of immunity. I believe that an English court would reject it. If the Pope was here on a state visit, ordinarily a head of state would have sovereign immunity. What I believe is that because he's not a sovereign, not a head of state, he's not entitled to the defence."

He said that the Vatican was declared to be a state by Benito Mussolini, but this had no standing in international law.

The Pope faced criticism after it emerged that he signed a letter which delayed the punishment of a paedophile priest in the US for the "good of the universal church".

Writing in 1985, the future Pontiff said that he needed more time to consider the case.

Mr Stephens, who has represented abuse victims in the past said: "This will require the Pope to deal with the way in which he appears to have prioritised the reputation of the Catholic church over the welfare of children."

Potential charges against the Pope would be crimes against humanity.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100411...y-6323e80.html

Dawkins and co just seeking publicity?

setanta · 14-04-2010, 10:19 PM

What an image that would be. Magic stuff if they placed cuffs on him when he lands over there.

Shasown · 14-04-2010, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setanta

What an image that would be. Magic stuff if they placed cuffs on him when he lands over there.

Yeah it would be, but in reality I cant see it happening, think the "solicitor" doesnt have a clue.

InOne · 14-04-2010, 10:34 PM

I used to be quite into the whole agressive atheism thing a few years ago. It would be good if it happened but can't see it as there would be uproar. They are kind of annoying now, Dawkins more so, but they are good writers, can't take that away from them.

setanta · 14-04-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shasown

Yeah it would be, but in reality I cant see it happening, think the "solicitor" doesnt have a clue.

Well, I mean if this letter is available to him then he could have a case, right? But that was involving a case in the States so I don't know how that could be used in England. I'm not well versed in international law though.

AndyJK · 14-04-2010, 10:38 PM

I can see the pontiff canceling his trip at this rate.

Shasown · 14-04-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setanta

Well, I mean if this letter is available to him then he could have a case, right? But that was involving a case in the States so I don't know how that could be used in England. I'm not well versed in international law though.

Well thats the key thing, it delayed the punishment, it didnt try to conceal the man's crimes, nor did it excuse his actions. And the Pope is actually the de facto sovereign of the Vatican City which the UK recognises as being independant of Italy. So he does actually have immunity.

ILoveTRW · 14-04-2010, 10:47 PM

the pope in handcuffs
how kniky

Beastie · 14-04-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILoveDC

the pope in handcuffs
how kniky

Dirty bitch.

setanta · 14-04-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shasown

Well thats the key thing, it delayed the punishment, it didnt try to conceal the man's crimes, nor did it excuse his actions. And the Pope is actually the de facto sovereign of the Vatican City which the UK recognises as being independant of Italy. So he does actually have immunity.

What if he visited the States? Ok, I'm hypothesizing here, but in a situation like that would they have the right to arrest him?

Beastie · 14-04-2010, 10:48 PM

A Porno Pope.

Coming to a Cinema near you!

ILoveTRW · 14-04-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebeast

Dirty bitch.

Beastie · 14-04-2010, 10:49 PM

or...

A Pope Porno.

Shasown · 14-04-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setanta

What if he visited the States? Ok, I'm hypothesizing here, but in a situation like that would they have the right to arrest him?

Again the head of state immunity thing, plus they are going to look awfully stupid trying to pursue a charge of obstruction of justice or similar when his letter was simply a guideline to staff to co-operate with the police without betraying the vows of the church etc. (and they know that is the excuse he will use if it ever did come to a prosecution).

ILoveTRW · 14-04-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebeast

or...

A Pope Porno.

him and the queen

setanta · 14-04-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shasown

Again the head of state immunity thing, plus they are going to look awfully stupid trying to pursue a charge of obstruction of justice or similar when his letter was simply a guideline to staff to co-operate with the police without betraying the vows of the church etc. (and they know that is the excuse he will use if it ever did come to a prosecution).

Fair enough. Interesting stuff. What I'd give to see him taken in though. Then again, I'd love to see Bush and the rest of them in the slammer too.