New Roman Catholic Doctrinal Watchdog Agrees to Waive Immunity in Depositio

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBSZJQ28CE.html

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Archbishop William Levada agreed Wednesday to waive diplomatic immunity and answer questions about sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests after he takes over as the church's guardian on doctrine - the Vatican post formerly held by Pope Benedict XVI.

Levada, 69, who officially steps down as archbishop of San Francisco next week, is heading to Rome to take over as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger held the post for 24 years before he became pope in April; he appointed Levada to his old job a month later.

During a farewell Mass last Sunday in San Francisco, Levada was served with a subpoena to be deposed on Friday. But with his agreement to waive diplomatic immunity, Levada will now be deposed in January; he had previously refused to sign the waiver or agree to other conditions.

Abuse victims' attorneys want to question Levada as part of the bankruptcy case of the Archdiocese of Portland. Last year, Portland became the first Catholic diocese in the nation to declare bankruptcy, citing sex abuse lawsuits seeking more than $155 million in damages.

[4_Legs_Good]

1. They served him during Mass???

I'm no fan of Levada by a long shot and I'm disgusted that Ratzinger has promoted another crunchy old conservative, but couldn't they wait until after mass to serve him a subpoena?

david

[Iowa]

3. Don't recall where I read it...

but I was under the impression that they served him near the entrance of the church as he was waiting to process in.

[MichiganVote]

2. Yeah, couldn't they at least wait till after church to bugger him

like all those priests who buggered the boys?