GENEVA
Deutsche Welle
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child criticized the Vatican harshly in a report on Wednesday. The scathing review demanded the immediate removal of all known or suspected child abusers within the Church’s hierarchy.
It also called for the Holy See to disclose information on past abusers and those who helped them avoid prosecution.
The UN committee’s recommendations are non-binding and there is no enforcement mechanism.
“The committee is gravely concerned that the [Vatican] has not acknowledge the extent of the crimes committed, has not taken the necessary measures to address cases ofchild sexual abuse and to protect children,” the UN committee said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, the committee’s chairperson, Kirsten Sandberg, said current policies had “led to the continuation” of abuse. She added that the Church had put the protection of perpetrators “above the children’s best interests.”
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.