A Polish Catholic diocese must pay nearly $1.15 million in damages to two girls who were sexually abused by a priest, after the court ruled the church hierarchy liable for the abuse.
Legal Ruling
A Polish court upheld a decision ordering the Diocese of Legnica to pay damages to two girls who were sexually abused by priest Piotr M. in 2019.
Case Background
Two girls with intellectual disabilities were molested by the former priest while preparing for their first communion at a church in Lower Silesia. Molested in 2019, he was initially sentenced to five years in prison.
Judicial History
An appeal by the priest’s defense reduced his sentence to four years, but the Supreme Court dismissed a subsequent appeal in May 2022.
Civil Lawsuit
In March 2023, the girls’ mothers filed a civil lawsuit against the Diocese for approximately $500,000 (1.3 million zł), basing their claim on Article 430 of the Polish Civil Code, which holds superiors liable for the actions of their subordinates.
