GENEVA
The Tablet (UK)
05 February 2014 12:40 by Abigail Frymann
The United Nations demanded that the Vatican “immediately remove” all clergy who are known or suspected of having abused minors and report them to civil authorities.
The UN committee on Protection on Rights of the Child today issued a damning and wide-ranging 16-page report following the appearance of a Vatican delegation in Geneva three weeks ago.
The watchdog said the Holy See should also hand over its records on abuse of tens of thousands of children so that culprits, as well as “those who concealed their crimes”, could be held accountable.
“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 added: “The Committee is particularly concerned that in dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse, the Holy See has consistently placed the preservation of the reputation of the Church and the protection of the perpetrators above children’s best interests.”
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