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	Italy 'Not Immune' from Paedophile Priests Earth Times February 18, 2010 http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/310007,italy-not-immune-from-paedophile-priests.html VATICAN CITY -- An Italian Catholic cleric warned Thursday that Italy is "not immune" from cases of child sexual abuse involving priests. Father Fortunato Di Noto made the remarks just days after Pope Benedict XVI summoned Irish bishops to the Vatican for crisis talks on a scandal in which senior clerics in Ireland have been accused by a commission of covering up a string of abuses dating from the mid-1970s. To date four Irish bishops have resigned in connection with the allegations. Di Noto's warning comes also in the wake of revelations in Germany of the abuse of dozens of students at colleges run by members of the Jesuit Order. Over the past decade, some 80 Italian priests have been implicated in cases of sexual abusing children, Di Noto, who runs "Meter" an anti-pedophilia organization, told Vatican Radio. "Italy is not immune even if in this country (such cases are) perhaps better handled and controlled. However, some cases have been handled imprudently," he added. Di Noto who is also a parish priest in Avola, Sicily, did not mention specific cases. However, he appealed to bishops to take be more decisive against such practises. "The Church cannot afford to cover up these actions. We want a Church that serves mankind and stand on the side of the poor, on the side of the children, one that avoids scandal," Di Noto said. He also referred to an upcoming Pastoral Letter which Benedict is to address to Catholics in Ireland in connection with the abuse scandal, and which Di Noto said would carry a message for the whole church. During their talks with the pontiff on Monday and Tuesday, the Irish bishops examined and discussed a draft of the letter which the Vatican says will be issued before Easter (April 4).
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