A few hours ago I posted On Calls for Francis's Resignation and Canon Law. An anonymous commenter asked,
Isn't Francis subject to civil laws for covering up sexual abuses of the clergy under his jurisdiction? Isn't he accountable to civil authorities? Isn't he liable for his neglect to act to prevent abuses? He can't simply "refuse" to offer explanation. Perhaps this matter should be taken up by civil lawyers.My answering comment, somewhat expanded (you can read the original on the original post),
No, as the Head of State of the independent nation of the Vatican City he is definitely not subject to civil law. He is subject only to the law of the Vatican City, which is summed up in Conan 1404.
In fact, I would fight to the death any attempt to subject him to the civil law of another State. Can you imagine the damage to the Church that would result if it were established that the Pope was answerable to any other civil authority?
If you read the history of the mediaeval Church, or a history of the Popes, such as Chevalier Charles Coulombe's Vicars of Christ: A History of the Popes, you will realise just how much damage was done by the Papacy being subject to the civil power, whether it was the Holy Roman Emperor, or the King of France during the Avignon Papacy.
Or you can look to the East to see the woes the Orthodox suffered under first, the Eastern Roman Emperors, and then the Ottoman jihadists, or the Russian Orthodox under the Tsars.
That's exactly he reason men fought and died to keep the Papal States free in 1870, as the Chevalier relates in his The Pope's Legion, the story of the Papal Zouaves' defence of Rome against the Freemasonic Italian 'reunification'.
I know there are a lot of calls by uniformed people for full state investigations, etc., as well as calls like my commenter's for Francis to face civil charges. I addressed them in my comments on an article by Br Andre Marie that I shared here, For All Those Running Around With Their Heads on Fire Over the Clerical Scandals.
So, for a good many reasons, Francis cannot face civil charges. I think that is a good thing, and I would defend that position with my life, as much as I despise him and want him gone from the Throne of Peter.
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Comments are subject to deletion if they are not germane. I have no problem with a bit of colourful language, but blasphemy or depraved profanity will not be allowed. Attacks on the Catholic Faith will not be tolerated. Comments will be deleted that are republican (Yanks! Note the lower case 'r'!), attacks on the legitimacy of Pope Francis as the Vicar of Christ (I know he's a material heretic and a Protector of Perverts, and I definitely want him gone yesterday! However, he is Pope, and I pray for him every day.), the legitimacy of the House of Windsor or of the claims of the Elder Line of the House of France, or attacks on the legitimacy of any of the currently ruling Houses of Europe.