| 4 September 2010 |
| Cardinal to testify in abuse case |
HONG KONG (APEN) --Cardinal Joseph Zen, bishop of Hong Kong, is likely to testify in a court in an abuse case in which the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese is named.
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In a civil claim case, the court heard 24 June that the Cardinal and the vicar general were likely to speak on behalf of the diocese. The trial was scheduled on 7 July and was expected to last for about 12 days.
The victim of the case, named "H" to protect his identity, was diagnosed with mental illness within a year of being abused by the former clergy Michael Lau in 1991 and 1992.
Lau was found guilty in 2003 of charges of indecent assault, gross indecency and attempted buggery. He was released in 2006.
The civil claim alleged that the church breached its duty of care by not protecting the victim, then aged 15. The claim said that the church was negligent in failing to notify the police when allegations against one of its priests were reported.
The victim filed a civil claim in 2004 against the former priest and the diocese. The court has ruled in 2007 that Lau should take responsibility of the victim's illness and should give him compensation.
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