A UN human rights committee denounced the Vatican on Wednesday for
adopting policies that allowed priests to rape and molest tens of
thousands of children over decades, and urged it to open its files on
the pedophiles and the churchmen who concealed their crimes.
In a devastating report, the UN committee also severely criticized
the Holy See for its attitudes toward homosexuality, contraception and
abortion and said it should review its policies to ensure children's
rights and their access to health care are guaranteed.
On sex abuse, "the committee is gravely concerned that the Holy See
has not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed, has not taken
the necessary measures to address cases of child sexual abuse and to
protect children, and has adopted policies and practices which have led
to the continuation of the abuse by, and the impunity of, the
perpetrators," the report said.
It called for the sex abuse commission that Pope Francis announced in
December to conduct an independent investigation of all cases of
priestly abuse and the way the Catholic hierarchy has responded over
time, and urged the Holy See establish clear rules for the mandatory
reporting of abuse to police.
The committee issued its recommendations after subjecting the Holy
See to a daylong interrogation last month on its implementation of the
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the main international treaty
ensuring children's rights.
The committee's
independent experts grilled the Holy See on its protection of children.
Source: CBC...More...
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