Archbishop Nichols takes legal advice over newspaper's allegation

[didymus]

Catholic Herald:

Archbishop Nichols takes legal advice over newspaper’s allegation

Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster is considering legal action against the Times newspaper over its allegation that he tried to protect a paedophile.
The story, published on the front page on Saturday, marked a new low in relations between the Church and the British media.

The paper alleged that the Archbishop “protected” a priest who abused children at a Benedictine school in west London - even though, as then Archbishop of Birmingham, he had no involvement in the case.

A Church spokesman said: “The attempt to saddle the Archbishop with responsibility for this tragic case is completely unfounded and is an unwarranted slur. His office is taking legal advice.”
Sources close to Westminster have confirmed that one of the options being considered is a possible court action for defamation.

Good for +Nichols! Of course in the UK one actually can sue for false allegations which is impossible here.

 

[markeverett49]

I’m interested in seeing how this develops.

 

[Santi2]

It’s about time he does something. I truly hope he proceeds with litigation and does not settle for retractions. Then maybe, his legal counsels can also look into the Religious Hatred Laws which would make it less intimidating for us to attend Mass without harassment and ridicule by protesters. .

 

[mlund]

It’s about time he does something. I truly hope he proceeds with litigation and does not settle for retractions. Then maybe, his legal counsels can also look into the Religious Hatred Laws which would make it less intimidating for us to attend Mass without harassment and ridicule by protesters. .

Hey, maybe he can sue the publisher in question for a significant sum of damages and direct it to services and settlements for those abused by clergy. It is about time the newspapers and media outlets that helped bury complaints and allegations in the 60s and 70s turn around and pay their share.

• Marty Lund

 

[baylee]

Awesome.

 

[Santi2]

Hey, maybe he can sue the publisher in question for a significant sum of damages and direct it to services and settlements for those abused by clergy. It is about time the newspapers and media outlets that helped bury complaints and allegations in the 60s and 70s turn around and pay their share.

• Marty Lund

Any monies arising from litigation would most definitely help the victims, since the press is capitalising on their hurt. A very surely “why not?”. And, with all the re-hashing of these cases, the abuse victims should mind to complain to the Press Complaints Commission for additional grief. I cannot imagine what all of this coverage is doing to them.

 

[johnnykins]

Catholic Herald:

Good for +Nichols! Of course in the UK one actually can sue for false allegations which is impossible here.

Actually you can sue for defamation - libel if written - in any state. The problem is in the USA a public figure can prevail only if the false statement was made with actual malice, i.e., knowingly false, etc. See Times v. Sullivan - actually a very good decision in general.