Ewtn, Vatican Respond to U.n. Report That Scolds Church on Sex Abuse, Urges Change to Opposition to Abortion and Homosexuality, by Greg Garrison, Al.com, February 7, 2014

Ewtn, Vatican Respond to U.n. Report That Scolds Church on Sex Abuse, Urges Change to Opposition to Abortion and Homosexuality

By Greg Garrison
Al.com
February 7, 2014

http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/02/ewtn_vatican_respond_to_un_rep.html

Monsignor Charles Scicluna, the Vatican's sex crimes prosecutor, left, and Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi talk to the media on July 15, 2010, during a briefing to present a new set of norms The Vatican issued to respond to the worldwide clerical abuse scandal, cracking down on priests who rape and molest minors and the mentally disabled.

[with video]

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Commentators on EWTN Global Catholic Network, headquartered in Irondale, have been responding critically to a United Nations committee report this week on clergy sexual abuse that also urged the church to change its stance on abortion, contraception and homosexuality.

The Vatican, stung by the scolding report, responded today with spokesman Federico Lombardi on Vatican Radio accusing the committee of "grave shortcomings."

Lombardi spoke about the report issued by an 18-member panel of independent U.N. experts who monitor implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their report on Wednesday accused the Vatican of disregarding the welfare of child victims of sexual abuse to protect abusers and the reputation of the church.

The U.N. committee ignored the church's efforts to address the abuse crisis, as documented to the committee, Lombardi said. Although the Vatican objected to the report, Lombardi said the church is committed to continuing to work for the good of all children.

The committee recommended immediately removing priests suspected of abusing children, opening archives on abusers and bishops who protected them, and turning cases over to law enforcement agencies.

The committee also urged the Vatican to change its policies on access to contraception for girls, including offering sex education on HIV in Catholic schools, and to protect gay children or children living with same-sex couples from being discriminated against.

Lombardi said the committee "appears to have gone beyond its competence and interfered in the moral and doctrinal positions of the Catholic Church."

Commentators on EWTN's "World Over With Raymond Arroyo," also criticized the report Thursday night.

Contact: ggarrison@al.com