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Clerical Abuse and the Bill of Rights in Maine
17 November 2004A precedent-setting case was heard in Maine's Supreme Court Tuesday when a former alter boy, who was molested by a bishop in Portland's Catholic Church, asked the court to reverse a 1997 decision prohibiting religious organizations and their leaders from being sued for negligent supervision. Gerald Petruccelli, an attorney for the diocese, argued that reversing the ruling would be a violation of thr First Amendment guaruntee of freedom of religion. Judges hearing the case were concerned that ruling for the victim could create new law; that there was no guidance from the U.S. Supreme Court on the question; and whether a judge or jury could consider the question of "negligent supervision" without the state intruding on religion.
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