[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

From what my son tells me, we can surmise that an investigation is underway. It may also mean that very quietly a federal agency is involved. If there is anything linking Fr. Minkler to Fr. Kunz in the investigation I wonder if that triggers the FBI's involvement. 26 posted on 03/04/2004 8:52:37 AM PST by Siobhan

Excellent question. The Church really should have its own criminal investigation unit at this point. Various dioceses have had to pay out enough in settlements, it's absurd.

With the possibility of more than one priest involved with reporting on sexual abuse being murdered, it would logically follow that law enforcement authorities should look into every possible angle. With the abusers themselves, people need to get past thinking about them as "Catholic priests" and face the fact that we may be dealing with a very anti-Catholic outside criminal element which, for whatever bizarre reasons, chooses to hide in the Church. That's disturbing, but it's a real consideration.

[Desdemona]

It would be nice to have a Vatican "crimes unit," but would they have the jurisdiction and power to tap phone lines? Trace e-mail? Subpoena phone records?

We're talking about murder. In canon law, does church law supersede local law for punishment of this crime? I seriously suspect this might be connected to maybe an investigation of on-line homosexual porn or something similar. That being the case, any Vatican "crimes unit" would have a rough time.

[Barnacle]

The Church really should have its own criminal investigation unit at this point. Various dioceses have had to pay out enough in settlements, it's absurd.

For Immediate Release

November 7, 2002 Washington D.C.

FBI National Press Office

(202)324-3691

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, today announced that Executive Assistant Director Kathleen L. McChesney is retiring from the FBI after 24 years as a Special Agent to accept a position with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops...

http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel02/110702b.htm

[ninenot]

The Church really should have its own criminal investigation unit at this point.

Don't underestimate the Swiss Guard. Not all of them wear funny suits and carry halberds, you know.

Tom Clancy has a LOT of respect for that outfit.

But it is true that they don't have 200 people 'on the ground' in the USA, permanently.