U.S. Supreme Court Denies Vatican’s Request, Allows Case to Proceed

Like it or not, the Holy See and Church leaders will now be forced to answer to the judicial branch of the United States Government. In an historic decision made public today, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the Vatican’s petition to hear the case of John V. Doe versus Holy See, and thereby ruled that the case proceed in federal district court.

This is a major legal breakthrough for advocates nationwide, but more important, a validation of the courage and conviction demonstrated by survivors of sexual abuse throughout the world. We applaud these survivors, bow in deep admiration to their character, and celebrate with them this monumental step in the course of a long, painful journey.

What we seek is simple: truth and accountability. Truth will manifest when the Vatican releases files kept on all sexually abusive priests. Accountability will manifest when all clergy who have committed crimes against children have been removed from duty. These are grand expectations to have of an institution so steeped in secrecy and denial, we know. But thanks to this heroic decision by Supreme Court Justices -- to let the case proceed – our mission is now empowered by the most progressive and righteous justice system in the world. The tides have turned and the truth will be delivered.