GENEVA
The Tablet (UK)
23 May 2014 by Hannah Roberts in Rome, Hannah Roberts in Rome
The United Nations has issued a second damning report into the Vatican’s response to the child sex abuse scandal, but paid tribute to recent efforts by Pope Francis to improve the Church’s record on safeguarding.
In a report issued today, the UN Committee against Torture accused the Holy See of failing to report allegations of abuse to authorities, refusing to disclose information for criminal proceedings and transferring clergy to other dioceses, where they were able to molest children again.
But there was some praise for progress made by Pope Francis, in particular the recognition of crimes against minors and the establishment of the Pontifical commission for protection of minors.
The panel said it welcomed Francis’ statement acknowledging the damage done by priests, in which he said: “We will not take one step backwards … on the contrary we must be even stronger.”
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