AUSTRALIA
Sky News
The Catholic Church might be challenged by an Australian finding that the practice of celibacy by its priests could have contributed to the sexual abuse of children.
The issue was raised in a landmark report from the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, which is co-ordinating the church’s response to the national Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse announced by the federal government in 2012.
The council on Friday released a report about key concerns and issues arising from its engagement with people affected by abuse and with the commission over the past two years.
Under a section on culture and ‘clericalism’, the activity report looks at how this might have played a part in contributing to abuse within the church.
It notes some church leaders seemed to turn a blind eye to abuse within their orders or dioceses and acted to protect the institution rather than caring for the child.
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