Canonist Ed Peters weighs in with his opinion of the heresy suit against Kerry. Basically he says that the ability of one layman to sue another was not carried along from the 1917 Code of Canon Law to the 1983 Code, and although that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is improper or illegal, it does put another obstacle in its way and provides an easy out for any ecclesiastic who wants it. In other words, while permission for this type of lawsuit isn’t explicitly in the current Code, it isn’t forbidden either, and while it may not be in the letter of the law, it is certainly in the spirit of it.
The St. Joseph Foundation has rcommended that an investigation be requested under Can. 1717 p1 and that a process of denunciation be started.
See: http://www.st-joseph-foundation.org/newsletter/lead.php?document=2004/22-1
Sounds like a neat idea for a movie…..Jean Kerri je vous denounce!!…it’s fun but it won’t go anywhere….but I’ll keep my straw hat nearby…