Religion

Eugene

(61,939 posts) Mon Feb 16, 2015, 03:33 PM Feb 2015

Sexual abuse charges dropped against Spain priests

Source: BBC

16 February 2015 Last updated at 16:17 GMT

Sexual abuse charges dropped against Spain priests

A court in the southern Spanish city of Granada has dropped charges against nine out of 10 Catholic priests accused of sexually abusing an altar boy.

The charges - which included "sexual abuse with penetration, exhibitionism and concealing evidence" - were dropped because the crimes fell within the statute of limitations.

Charges were also dropped against two laymen accused in the case.

Pope Francis had intervened in the case, urging an investigation.

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Sexual abuse charges dropped against Spain priests (Original Post) Eugene Feb 2015 OP

There shouldn't be a statute of limitations when it comes to sexual crimes against children. cbayer Feb 2015 #1

Agreed. okasha Feb 2015 #2

Fully agree. If there is a statute, it seems like the clock should start only when cbayer Feb 2015 #7

I think he and the Vatican can pursue. Punitive actions may be limited, though. pinto Feb 2015 #3

I believe the Vatican has an agreement with Italy okasha Feb 2015 #4

Yeah, I've heard that mentioned in some cases. This is Spanish juridiction, though. pinto Feb 2015 #5

I tend to think they can pursue it as well. cbayer Feb 2015 #6

cbayer

(146,218 posts)

1. There shouldn't be a statute of limitations when it comes to sexual crimes against children.

Reply to Eugene (Original post)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 03:36 PM

Feb 2015

This was from 2004 - 2007 when the victim was only 14 - 17 years old.

I wonder if the pope can pursue this through the vatican.

okasha

(11,573 posts)

2. Agreed.

Reply to cbayer (Reply #1)

Mon Feb 16, 2015, 03:42 PM

Feb 2015

This is something secular legislative bodies need to address. There's no statute of limitations on murder, and abuse murders a victim's childhood. They don't "get over it."