Ruling sought on Church liability for priests’ acts

THE High Court in London has been asked to give a ruling on whether the Catholic Church can ever be held liable for the wrongdoings of its priests.

A judge is to determine what was described yesterday as “an issue of wide general importance in respect of claims against the Catholic Church”.

Although the point to be decided has arisen in a damages action over alleged sex abuse by a priest, any decision will affect other types of claims made against the Church.