U.N. report blasts Vatican for putting reputation before child sex abuse victims
- 10 years ago
A new report by the United Nations condemns the Vatican for its handling of child sex abuse cases.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRWOMAN OF U.N. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD KIRSTEN SANDBERG SAYING:
"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."
The report by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child found that the church uses policies and practices that have let abuse continue without punishment for the perpetrators.
The committee also demanded that the Vatican immediately remove all clergy who are known or suspected child abusers and turn them over to civil authorities.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRWOMAN OF U.N. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD KIRSTEN SANDBERG SAYING:
"Another matter was the code of silence that was imposed by the Church on children and the fact that reporting to national law enforcement authorities has never b
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRWOMAN OF U.N. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD KIRSTEN SANDBERG SAYING:
"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."
The report by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child found that the church uses policies and practices that have let abuse continue without punishment for the perpetrators.
The committee also demanded that the Vatican immediately remove all clergy who are known or suspected child abusers and turn them over to civil authorities.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAIRWOMAN OF U.N. COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD KIRSTEN SANDBERG SAYING:
"Another matter was the code of silence that was imposed by the Church on children and the fact that reporting to national law enforcement authorities has never b