Lawsuit naming Vatican as sole defendant proceeds

In the words of my friend who alerted me to the news story: "Crazy federal judges letting people sue the Vatican!":

A federal judge in Louisville issued a "historic" decision yesterday by refusing to dismiss a lawsuit against the Vatican that alleges a cover-up to protect priests who molested American children.

...

If U.S. District Judge John Heyburn II's decision stands, it could open the door for attorneys to take depositions of Vatican officials -- including Pope Benedict XVI -- obtain copies of church records and documents and ultimately determine "what prompted all of the bishops to keep quiet, hide these pedophiles and refuse to report child abusers," McMurry said. He called the decision "historic." [More...]

Dom sums up this situation nicely.

CWNews has its coverage here. And C-L-S finds a little silver lining.

Rocco got his hands on the 18-page decision, and posts some excerpts here.

As for me, I pretty much agree with my friend. Crazy judges.