Australia allows the Catholic Church to protect sexual predators, and
any information the church holds on its own illegal activity, from the
law. We let it do this by granting protections afforded to no other
religious group. It is time this ended.
In 1973 the Australian government granted the Vatican (called the Holy See in official channels) formal diplomatic recognition. This protected the Vatican, and gave its senior officials and head office in Australia the same protection we afford embassies and staff of foreign nations. Their documents cannot be subpoenaed and their senior officials cannot be forced to attend court or provide information.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4478602/vatican-hiding-behind-the-protections-weve-given-it/
In 1973 the Australian government granted the Vatican (called the Holy See in official channels) formal diplomatic recognition. This protected the Vatican, and gave its senior officials and head office in Australia the same protection we afford embassies and staff of foreign nations. Their documents cannot be subpoenaed and their senior officials cannot be forced to attend court or provide information.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4478602/vatican-hiding-behind-the-protections-weve-given-it/