Attorneys For Abuse Victims Speculate That Benedict May Be More Vulnerable Legally After His Resignation

AP reports yesterday that attorneys for clergy sex abuse victims are exploring whether Pope Benedict XVI's resignation makes him more vulnerable to successful legal action challenging his failure to act more aggressively against priests involved. They speculate that the resignation may make prosecutors more likely to act, particularly as to his role before he became Pope when he was head the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that was charged with dealing with the abuse claims. However a lawyer for the Vatican says that Benedict retains legal immunity as a former head of state. The Center for Constitutional Rights in New York is urging the International Criminal Court to investigate the Vatican's response to abuse as crimes against humanity.