The Vatican is asking a US federal judge to reject an attempt to question Pope Benedict XVI under oath in a Kentucky sex abuse lawsuit.

Attorneys for the Roman Catholic Church say there has been no evidence of a link to church officials in Rome.

The arguments were filed yesterday in US District Court in Louisville. They also say that forcing Benedict to give a deposition would violate international law.

The Kentucky lawsuit accuses the Vatican of orchestrating a cover-up of priests sexually abusing children throughout the US

Louisville attorney William McMurry has asked to depose Benedict and other Vatican officials.

Mr McMurry has also asked that the Vatican turn over administrative documents and respond to questions related to the abuse scandal in the US.

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