Rome Detains U.S. Church Abuse Protesters

Four American victims of clergy sexual abuse say they were detained and questioned by Italian police in Rome after showing photos of the pope during a news conference outside St. Peter's Square.

Barbara Blaine, one of the victims, said Thursday after emerging from a police station near the Vatican that officers told them a judge will decide if they will be charged. She says they were detained because they didn't have a permit for the outdoor news conference.

Blaine said police seemed most concerned because they displayed photos of Pope Benedict XVI and his top aide, Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. She says police also confiscated posters with slogans like "Stop the secrecy."

According to church documents, the Vatican ordered a stop to a church trial of a priest who abused 200 deaf children in Wisconsin.

More on the Catholic Church and Abuse Allegations:

Pope Reportedly Ignored Sex Abuse Warnings
Alleged Abuse Victim: Pope "Did Nothing"
Catholic Sex Abuse Scandal Nears Pope
For Victims, Pope's Apology Falls Short
Irish Bishop Resigns Over Sex Abuse Claims
Catholic Church: U.S. Abuse Claims Fell
6 in German Diocese Accused Over Abuse
Pope Blasts Abusers in Irish Church
More Ex-Vienna Choir Boys Allege Abuse