UN accuses Vatican of policies that allowed sex abuse of children

[unhappycamper]

http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-united-nations-accuses-vatican-of-policies-that-allowed-rape-of-children-20140205,0,5516220.story



Pope Francis celebrates the presentation of Jesus to the temple mass in Saint Peter's basilica at the Vatican.

UN accuses Vatican of policies that allowed sex abuse of children
From the Associated Press
February 5, 2014, 3:07 a.m.

VATICAN CITY — A U.N. human rights committee denounced the Vatican on Wednesday for adopting policies that allowed priests to rape and molest tens of thousands of children over decades, and urged it to open its files on the pedophiles and the churchmen who concealed their crimes.

In a devastating report, the U.N. committee also severely criticized the Holy See for its attitudes toward homosexuality, contraception and abortion and said it should review its policies to ensure children's rights and their access to health care are guaranteed.

On sex abuse, “the committee is gravely concerned that the Holy See has not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed, has not taken the necessary measures to address cases of child sexual abuse and to protect children, and has adopted policies and practices which have led to the continuation of the abuse by, and the impunity of, the perpetrators,” the report said.

It called for the sex abuse commission that Pope Francis announced in December to conduct an independent investigation of all cases of priestly abuse and the way the Catholic hierarchy has responded over time, and urged the Holy See establish clear rules for the mandatory reporting of abuse to police.