SUIT AGAINST THE VATICAN

[Alec Walen]

On Thursday, April 4, 2002, at 06:31 PM, David E. Guinn wrote:

Does this mean that the Catholic Church in America ought to be treated 
as the agent of a foreign government?

I would venture to say no on two grounds.  First, the level of control 
isn't as high as in a normal agency relationship, even though the RCA is 
not a separate congregational entity.  I don't know much about church 
organization, but I imagine that the organization is better described as 
one in which lesser church leaders are charged with acting within 
certain rules and guidelines, but as independent agents pursuing a 
shared goal, rather than as agents for the Pope as the principal.

Second, the Vatican is a government over a small territory, but it's 
influence outside that territory is only that of a religious order.

Alec Walen

> Suit Accuses Vatican Of Sex Cover-Up
>  http://news.findlaw.com/ap/o/1110/4-4-2002/200204041017915905.html
>  
> What I find very interesting is the suggestion that the suit against 
> the Vatican will be defended on the grounds of sovereign immunity.  
> While I think I understand that rationale, does this mean that the 
> Catholic Church in America ought to be treated as the agent of a 
> foreign government?  It is clearly impossible to argue that the RCA is 
> a separate congregational entity given the dominating control exercised 
> by the Vatican. Or is it possible to disagregate the governmental and 
> religious roles of the Vatican?  Ideas?
>  
> David
>  
>  
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