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  Dutch Priests Accused of Child Sex Abuse

Radio Netherlands
February 26, 2010

http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/dutch-priests-accused-child-sex-abuse

At least three children in a Dutch boarding school run by Roman Catholic priests were sexually abused in the 1960 and 70s, research by Radio Netherlands Worldwide and daily NRC Handelsblad has shown.

The school was attached to the Don Rua monastry of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the eastern town of 's-Heerenberg. The clerics may have assaulted more children. Members of the order confirmed that the problem was discussed internally, but was never subjected to a thorough investigation.

The school's population consisted of about a hundred boys aged between twelve and eighteen. A former pupil said it was common knowledge at the school that certain priests abused boys. One case has been confirmed in which a priest from the Don Rua school sexually abused a child outside the monastry.

Bishop of Rotterdam

The current Bishop of Rotterdam, Ad van Luyn, was teaching at the Don Rua school at the time of the abuse. He refused to comment on whether he was aware what was going on. Two years ago the chairman of a sexual abuse hotline resigned because he felt the church was not taking complaints about abuse seriously.

Salesian and other priests are under scrutiny in Germany too, where a sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic church keeps expanding.

 
 

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