[Looking for Diogenes]

This is like a Bishop claiming that canon law overrides the United States Constitution.

Bad example. For decades the bishops chose to ignore civil laws regarding child molsters and handle the offenders according to canon laws. Only last year Cardinal Mahoney refused to hand over subpoenaed documents, citing pastoral privilege.

[RobbyS]

Canon law always tries to mesh with the civil law. But as far as the perverts were concerned, the cops were not exactly eager to
jump into that fight. Both by custom and law the churches are privileged communities in our society.