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UN Panel Condemns Catholic Church Over Child Sex Abuse


Roman Catholic Pope Francis issues blessings at the end of the Christmas night mass in the Saint Peter's Basilica.
Roman Catholic Pope Francis issues blessings at the end of the Christmas night mass in the Saint Peter's Basilica.
The United Nations has condemned the Roman Catholic Church over policies that allowed priests to rape and molest tens of thousands of children around the world.

In a report released on February 5, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child demanded that the Vatican "immediately remove" all clergy who are known or suspected child abusers and turn them over to authorities.

It also called on the Vatican to make public information it possesses about church pedophiles and the Catholic leaders who helped hide their crimes.

The committee said it is "gravely concerned" that the Vatican has not taken the necessary measures to address cases of child sexual abuse and to protect children.

The committee called on the Vatican to include abuse victims and international rights bodies in a sex-crimes investigation.

Based on reporting by AP, dpa, and Reuters

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