Dutch Catholic church calls for end to silence over sexual abuse

NETHERLANDS
Expatica

Catholic church cardinal Wim Eijk has made a call in the Telegraaf for people to come clean about the sexual abuse of children by church officials.

Eijk made the appeal two years after the publication of a major report into abuse in Catholic institutions. The cardinal noted in his appeal that a quarter of all ongoing and finalised cases were abandoned because of a lack of evidence.

Abuse victims’ organisation Klokk said the appeal was brave and historic because it ‘announced the end of the culture of silence’.

After July 1 no more complaints can be submitted in cases which are too old in Dutch law or which are against people who have died, Nos television said.

‘The bell has to ring for the final round at some point,’ Eijk told the paper.

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