Vatican Cautioned Not to Turn "Itself into the Victim" of New Un Report

By Jack Quann
Newstalk
February 6, 2014

http://www.newstalk.ie/Vatican-cautioned-not-to-turn-itself-into-the-victim-of-new-UN-report


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.

In reply yesterday, the Holy See said it "takes note of the Concluding Observations on its Reports, which will be submitted to a thorough study and examination, in full respect of the Convention in the different areas presented by the Committee according to international law and practice, as well as taking into consideration the public interactive debate with the Committee, held on 16 January 2014".

The Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, Colm O'Gorman, told Newstalk Breakfast the response to this report will be the biggest test of Pope Francis' papacy so far.

While the Education Minister Ruairi Quinn said the Irish State is proceeding with its own programme of compensation.