More evidence of the evil influence of the Catholic Church

This time it's thanks to Wikileaks.

Newly released, confidential U.S. diplomatic cables indicate that Ireland caved in to Vatican pressure to grant immunity to church officials in the investigation of decades of sex abuse by Irish clergy.

The Murphy Commission's requests offended many in the Vatican, the Holy See's Assessor Peter Wells (protect strictly) told DCM, because they saw them as an affront to Vatican sovereignty. Vatican officials were also angered that the Government of Ireland did not step in to direct the Murphy Commission to follow standard procedures in communications with Vatican City. Adding insult to injury, Vatican officials also believed some Irish opposition politicians were making political hay with the situation by calling publicly on the government to demand that the Vatican reply. Ultimately, Vatican Secretary of State (Prime Minister equivalent) Bertone wrote to the Irish Embassy that requests related to the investigation must come through diplomatic channels via letters rogatory.

This brings to mind a couple of thoughts:

First, it proves that Ratzinger's claims to being sympathetic to the victims of child rape by Catholic priests are a lie.

Second, it illustrates the danger of ceding government power to religious organizations. People who argue that the United States is a Christian nation, or that our law is based on Judeo-Christian principles, should consider how willing they are to sacrifice their children to child rapists in black robes.