U.n. Questions Vatican on Handling of Sex Abuse Scandal

Deborah Becker
January 17, 2014

http://www.wbur.org/2014/01/17/united-nations-questions-vatican-on-sex-abuse

[with audio]

Vatican officials faced intense questioning Thursday in Geneva, Switzerland, when a United Nations committee demanded answers about the church’s handling of the clergy sex abuse scandal.

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, representing the Vatican, said the church is committed to protecting children.

“The Holy See and local church structures in all parts of the world are committed to holding inviolable the dignity and entire person of every child: body, mind and spirit,” Tomasi said.

Helen McGonigle, a Connecticut attorney and clergy abuse survivor, joined WBUR’s Morning Edition to talk about her experience in Geneva, where she says she wanted to witness the first public questioning of Vatican officials about clergy abuse.