IRELAND
Newstalk
Jack Quann
The head of Amnesty International in Ireland says the Vatican must not turn itself into a victim over a scathing report from the UN. A high-level committee yesterday accused it of failing to protect children from sexual abuse.
It also called for the church to investigate the Magdelene Laundries in Ireland and similar institutions.
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 yesterday “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 Committee has recommended the Holy See establish a framework for reporting and ensuring all members of the Catholic Church are educated on the issue.
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