Vatican asks judge to reject attempt in Ky. to get under-oath testimony from Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican: Kentucky lawsuit lacks link to Rome

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Vatican is asking a federal judge to reject an attempt to question Pope Benedict XVI under oath in a Kentucky sex abuse lawsuit. Attorneys for the Roman Catholic Church say there has been no evidence of a link to church officials in Rome.

The arguments were filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Louisville. They also say that forcing Benedict to give a deposition would violate international law.

The Kentucky lawsuit accuses the Vatican of orchestrating a coverup of priests sexually abusing children throughout the U.S.

Louisville attorney William McMurry has asked to depose Benedict and other Vatican officials. McMurry has also asked that the Vatican turn over administrative documents and respond to questions related to the abuse scandal in the U.S.