Catholic church in the dock at UN over clerical sex abuse

The Catholic church will find itself "in the dock" again at the UN over its poor handling of clerical sex abuse and the ensuing crisis.

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Child abuse activist 'positive' about Vatican commission

A child abuse activist and survivor is "positive" the Catholic Church's body investigating allegations of clerical sexual abuse will be more than just "a talking shop".

Marie Collins, who sits on the investigative board, was speaking ahead of the Holy See's testimony in front of the UN's torture committee into the church's handling of the sexual abuse crisis.

We are coming from very different perspectives but we all have one aim in mind, the protection of children and . . . I am happy at the moment that the meeting is addressing the issues I hoped it would address.

– Marie Collins

Catholic church to face UN grilling over child sex abuse

The Catholic church will find itself back "in the dock" as it is due to testify before the Committee Against Torture in Geneva.

Almost 400 priests were defrocked by Pope Benedict XVI in two years over child abuse claims. Credit: PA

Last February the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child issued a damning report of the Catholic Church’s handling of its clerical sex abuse crisis, accusing it of being more concerned with protecting its reputation, than it was with looking after children.

More sex abuse victim groups have come forward in the US and submitted fresh claims, it has emerged.

The Catholic Church has criticised the UN's decision to include child abuse allegations at a hearing on torture.

Vatican spokesman Fr Frederico Lombardi rejected the attempt “to bring the issue of the sexual abuse of minors into the discussion on torture” rather than into child protection.

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