Un Calls on the Vatican to Hand over All Records Relating to Child Abuse

Newstalk
February 5, 2014

http://www.newstalk.ie/UN-calls-on-The-Vatican-to-hand-over-all-records-relating-to-child-abuse

Committee said the Vatican has not acknowledged the "extent of crimes"

The United Nations is criticising The Vatican for adopting policies that allowed priests to rape and molest children. The UN Committee of the Rights of the Child is also demanding all archives be handed over so any culprits can be held to account.

The report was produced following the public questioning of Vatican officials last month.

The month-long investigation examined cases of clerics who have been "involved in the abuse of tens of thousands of children worldwide".

The Committee said their investigation had shown the Holy See has adopted policies which has led to the continuation of abuse.

Kirsten Sandberg, Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, said "It is a horrible thing that has been kept silent...the abuse has been going on and on".

It has now recommended the Holy See immediately share any information on all cases of abuse - which follows criticism that the Vatican has declined to provide any data relating to the scandal.

The Vatican has insisted it had little jurisdiction to sanction priests, saying it was the responsibility of the Irish State.

Child abuse seen as a 'moral issue'

Victims of the abuse have expressed hope that this process could end the secrecy still surrounding cases.

It raises concerns that well-known sexual abusers have been moved from parish to parish or across borders as part of a cover-up.

And that there was a "code of silence" among the clergy over the issue.

"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.

The committee has recommended the Holy See establish a framework for reporting and ensuring all members of the Catholic Church are educated on the issue.

It comes after a 'grilling' of Church officials in Geneva three weeks ago - the first public confrontation the Vatican has faced on this issue.

At the hearing, the delegation from the Vatican expressed a commitment to "do things differently".

Ms Sandberg added "We feel that we had an open and constructive dialogue - they have a completely different attitude to this issue than they had 10 years ago. But we still did not get a definitive answer that they would actually cooperate".

The Committee recommendations are non-binding. Rather, the UN asked the Vatican to implement the recommendations and report back by 2017.

Currently, child abuse is seen as a moral issue under Vatican law, the report requests that that is changed to ensure that it is recognised as a crime.

The report also criticised the Holy See for its attitude towards homosexuality, contraception and abortion.