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Vatican says it will protect children - but criticises UN for 'interfering'

The Holy See said it sees some of the UN committee’s observations as interfering with its teaching.

THE VATICAN HAS responded to a report by a United Nations committee which criticised its policies that allowed for systematic and continued abuse of children by its priests.

In a statement this afternoon, the Holy See reiterated its commitment to defending and protecting the rights of children “in line with the principles promoted by the Convention of the Rights of the Child and according to the moral and religious values offered by Catholic doctrine”.

It confirmed that it had taken note of the concluding observations in the report, adding that it will be thoroughly studied and examined.

However, it also said that it “regrets” that some of the observations by the committee on the rights of the child are an attempt to “interfere with Catholic Church teaching on the dignity of the human person and in the exercise of religious freedom”.

The report commented on the Church’s positions on homosexuality, contraception and abortion.

Meanwhile, Irish victim support group One in Four has welcomed the report from the UN, noting its “scathing critique” of the Catholic Church’s attempts to cover up the extent of sexual abuse of children by members of clergy – and its failure to report incidents of such abuse.

“This report by an international neutral body confirms what has long been suspected: that the Vatican
had a far greater knowledge of the extent of clerical sexual abuse than it has ever acknowledged, and that it must take responsibility for creating a culture in the Church worldwide that protected sex
offenders and endangered children,” said executive director Maeve Lewis.

This vindicates absolutely what survivors of abuse have been saying over the past decade.

“The Vatican has always tried to lay responsibility for child sexual abuse on the individual offenders and on local bishops.  It has never admitted that its policies and regulations ensured that priests were protected at the expense of children’s safety.

This falsehood is now exposed.

“If the Vatican is to retain any credibility it mustimmediately abide by the Committee’s recommendations, hand over allits records and immediately put in place a policy of mandatoryreporting of sexual crimes.”

Related: United Nations denounces the Vatican for allowing priests to rape children

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92 Comments
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    Mute Paul Doyle
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:45 PM

    If nobody “interfered” they would have carried on as before.

    266
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    Mute Dean Anderson
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:29 PM

    Too true. We have the media to thank for exposing the church’s crimes. Not once has the church ever voluntarily come forward with its hands up. In every country in the world it has had to be dragged kicking and screaming into courthouses and forced to tell the truth

    155
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    Mute Drew Clarke
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:34 PM

    The Vatican had the lowest age of consent – 12 – until they raised it back in July to 18. I bet there were no shortage of pissed off clerics when that change was introduced.

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    Mute Alan R
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:59 PM

    Oh Dear, – I wasn’t aware of that !

    57
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    Mute Silent Majority
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    Feb 5th 2014, 4:03 PM

    To be fair, the age of consent thing isn’t quite as it seems. Age of consent in Italy was formerly 12 years old (since raised to 14) and the Vatican just imitated many of the laws of it’s surrounding jurisdiction. Also, as canon law 1083 forbids sex outside marriage, unless someone had arrived in the Vatican with their 12 year old spouse they would still have been breaking the law by sexually engaging with a 12 year old.
    Bothering to actually raise the age of consent despite it’s relatively meaningless nature was just a PR stunt, and a pretty poorly thought out one as has since become evident.

    24
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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:44 PM

    The Holy See said it sees some of the UN committee’s observations as interfering with its teaching.

    Sorry but was it not priests interfering with children that called into question the Holy See’s teachings in the first place?

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:04 PM

    The SS/Holy See teachings.

    http://one-evil.org/content/entities_organizations_nazi_ss.html
    “Knights of the Sedes Sacrorum “, “Knights of the Holy See ”
    http://intheknow7.wordpress.com/jesuits-smom-knights-rcc/

    The Vatican-Papacy is the only institution to organize as a “sacred religious ceremony” ritual abuse (sexual molestation) of children from as late as 14th century. Over 700yrs of unbroken child abuse, widespread encouragement of this vile practice by it’s Cardinals, Bishops and laypersons. This constitutes the largest unbroken “child abuse ring” in human history still operating today. The attempted coverup of child abuse by shuffling Cardinals, Bishops etc. with subsequent application of ”ecclesiastical whiteout” is abominable and a testament to the evil nature of the Roman Catholic Church et al. Motivation for this remains the sacred rite of “Dedication of Innocence” to Moloch (or Molech) God of Child Sacrifice (never rescinded). Instead of “physically killing” children (burning by fire), ritual rape/torture now kills them mentally/emotionally as with diabolical MK-Ultra Mind Kontrolle Programming. Parents mistakenly believe Vatican-Papacy has repudiated this “sacred” practice, THEY HAVE NOT! They have repudiated pedophilia, a modern term which has nothing to do with the ancient practice of “molestation” — so named for the God of Child Sacrifice MOLOCH (or MOLECH) — True to form, Vatican is always exacting with wording, seeking to escape responsibility by obfuscating issues (DECEIT)

    37
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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:07 PM

    The term Pedophilia (first recorded in 1951) is a modern term created from the Greek words (gen. paidos) “child” (see pedo-) + philos “loving.”

    Contrary to public belief, the term Pedophilia has the unfortunate literal meaning of “loving children”, than the criminal action of child abuse. While Pedophilia has absolutely no religious significance as a word, its continued use as a term to describe child molestation and child abuse is misleading—implying those branded as “pedophiles” have some emotional empathy towards their victims (implied by philes/philos-love).
    http://one-evil.org/content/acts_child_molestation.html

    22
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    Mute David Harrington
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:46 PM

    They have no credibility when it comes to looking out for the best interests of the children.

    199
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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:00 PM

    “The Vatican-Papacy is the only institution to organize as a “sacred religious ceremony” ritual abuse (sexual molestation) of children from as late as 14th century.
    Over 700yrs of unbroken child abuse, widespread encouragement of this vile practice by it’s Cardinals, Bishops and laypersons.
    This constitutes the largest unbroken “child abuse ring” in human history still operating today”
    http://intheknow7.wordpress.com/jesuits-smom-knights-rcc/

    23
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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:21 PM

    “according to the moral and religious values offered by Catholic Doctrine”..

    They didnt pay much heed to these values that the normal everyday Catholic holds so dear when they were shielding the pervy priests.. I am a practising Catholic and even i find these words very hollow indeed.. If it wasnt for the abuse victims speaking up we probably wouldnt have a clue how secretive the Holy See is.. The fact that abuse isnt as widespread is not down to the changes they made on their own initiative, they were humiliated into making these changes by “outsiders”..

    If the UN’s ‘interference’ helps bring more or ALL paedo priests to justice then i am all for it.

    I dont trust the powers that be. Most Catholics and good priests dont either to be honest. And i am still waiting for Pope F to be more proactive in this regard. There has been change in the top but it has been too slow.

    At parish level there has been massive change though. You’d be amazed at the difference in the last 20 years.

    29
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    Mute Brian Mc Truck
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:45 PM

    Once upon a time I used to bless myself when I passed a church, now I don’t, now I just get a shiver down my spine.

    157
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    Mute skoda
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    Feb 5th 2014, 6:17 PM

    It wasn’t the church that was interfering with children it was some of its priests.

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    Mute Kelly Davis-Jordan
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    Feb 5th 2014, 7:32 PM

    With the support of their church.

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    Mute skoda
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    Feb 5th 2014, 10:09 PM

    Going by the red thumbs on here It appears that some of the commenters don’t understand the difference between bricks and mortar ‘the church’ and human beings.

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    Mute Ossi Fritsche
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:46 PM

    Ya and like they “The Church” never interfered with kids. Hypocrites the lot of them.

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    Mute Michele Savage
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:52 PM

    That child sexual abuse still is, in 2014, classed merely as a ‘moral issue’ and not as a crime in the Vatican State, and in the promulgation of Canon Law worldwide, is the strongest reason for Ireland not to have reopened its embassy there, unless you are a politician wishing to recoup alienated votes from minds so colonised as to keep accepting dubious moral dogma.

    http://news.sky.com/story/1206870/vatican-policies-allowed-priests-to-rape

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    Mute Thrillhouse
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    Feb 5th 2014, 6:18 PM

    Well said. The embassy re-opening is a shameful political vote grab, nothing else. After the abuses they have heaped on our country and our children we should have no contact with that organisation what so ever. The church has nothing to offer us except more lies and superstition.

    29
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    Mute Damien Quigley
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    Feb 5th 2014, 11:32 PM

    Not a crime in the Vatican State? This seems to contradict your view: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/443077/pope-francis-widens-criminal-punishment-for-child-abuse-in-vatican

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    Mute Yako
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    Feb 6th 2014, 12:16 AM

    Plain incorrect.

    2
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    Mute Marguerite Hoiby
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:54 PM

    UN stepped in because obviously the Vatican wasn’t capable of sorting out this huge violation of children all around the world. The Vatican saw its first and foremost way of addressing this abomination to protect the clergy and NOT the children.

    Mind you, the UN took their time…………too didn’t they responding to this tragedy? I wonder why?

    100
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    Mute Paul Doyle
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:47 PM

    Holy see no evil, hear no evil.

    93
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    Mute The Doctor
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Oh they seen it, they heard it. They just don’t give a sh1t.
    A vile, disgusting and evil organisation.

    111
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    Mute Limerick Soviet
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:45 PM

    Meditate, think positively, think good of people, help people when you can and give the MIDDLEMAN (RCC, all churches) the boot.

    The kingdom of heaven is within…………………………

    74
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    Mute Zozzy Zozimus
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:28 PM

    So, let’s review this briefly…

    a.) Interfering with catholic church teaching, or
    b.) Interfering with children.

    Anyone willing to hazard a suggestion which is worse?

    59
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    Mute Yako
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    Feb 6th 2014, 12:20 AM

    You need to disentangle the issues. Its not a case of either and ether. The teachings the committees attacked have got nothing what soever to do with child abuse. I don’t need to say that there is no link between being defending the unborn and child abuse. What matters is the Vatican is putting a full effort into prosecution and best practise guidelines. The committee is diluting its own message but rambling about homosexuality and abortion.

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    Mute mary jones
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:26 PM

    The Vatican is also a country. If the UN were to stand by and NOT criticise a country for systematic covering up of child abuse of the most heinous kind, then the UN would not be doing their job. It’s time we stopped doffing the cloth cap to the Vatican and started treating them as what they are, people like the rest of us, with flaws and weaknesses and criminal elements roaming free in their grandiose, fabricated society. They are a country and should be treated as such by the rest of the world, which means the usual laws regarding human rights, extradition and sanctions if need be, to make them understand that we are not afraid of the man in the robe who claims to have the ear of the invisible man in the sky. IMHO.

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    Mute Paul Cotrulia
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:41 PM

    And they have their own mercenaries in the form of the Swiss Guard

    37
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    Mute Alan R
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    Feb 5th 2014, 3:01 PM

    Its actually laughable, – as if the Vatican are inclined to keep their opinions to themselves on matters that are non of their business, – yet another hypocrisy to add to their never ending list

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    Mute Keelan O'neill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 3:06 PM

    If I remember correctly there is a human rights lawyer trying to have it’s country status stripped. The Pope would then lose diplomatic immunity.

    I think that lawyer is in the documentary Mea Maxima Cupla. His name escapes me.

    37
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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:12 PM

    Vatican is a SOVEREIGN state and that is the difference.

    Only men reside there.

    Because it is sovereign, they are free to do as they please in their minds.

    http://one-evil.org/content/acts_child_molestation.html
    “The history of religious and systematic abuse of children
    The Roman Cult and associated networks of Sabbatean and secret Satanic organisations since the 14th and 15th Centuries is the only time in the history of civilization whereby a “sacred” religious ceremony was established for the systematic and widespread encouragement of its clergy to abuse of children. The practice, along with all forms of sexual depravity were reinforced as being wholly contradictory to all forms of law, public doctrine as well as secret doctrines and practices from March 2013.
    From this point, for the first time in over 700 years, any clergy, members or claimed adherents to secret societies, Satanic or Luciferian cults practising Child Molestation, injury or murder are in complete dishonor to all forms of spiritual and ecclesiastical practice, criminals and subject to full retribution and punishment for such willful breach of the end of all such practices.
    Unfortunately, it remains a false argument promoted secretly by nihilists incapable of personal discipline and honor, that they continue such practices as some form of token of “evil”. Instead, such practice should be treated as purely criminal by men or woman demonstrating contempt to all forms of spiritualism, law, history and knowledge. “

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    Mute Yako
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    Feb 6th 2014, 12:25 AM

    @Keelan,

    I think you are confused. Diplomatic immunity applies only to diplomats hence the word diplomatic immunity. There is no evidence that Benny or Francis had a role in any cover up. In fact Benny personally was responsibly for investigating abuse. He took a lead on stamping this out by modernising investigations.

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    Mute Beabad Bishop
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    Feb 7th 2014, 12:01 AM

    Your confused the pope does have immunity ! http://www.ejil.org/pdfs/21/4/2115.pdf
    Anymore misinformation you’d like to share !

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    Mute Hibernicus Exule
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:12 PM

    i think we all know who is “interfering” with who !!!

    55
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    Mute winding_down
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    Feb 6th 2014, 2:20 AM

    A “country” when it suits them, a diffuse community of limited control and influence when it does not. What’s the point in it even being in the UN in the first place, if it refuses to tolerate any light being shone on itself?

    There are a limited number of nations which fall into the select club of “uncooperative” states when it comes to matters of common interest to the wider International Community; it seems to me that the Holy See is most definitely one of those; so secure in its superiority complex that it refuses to countenance any form of external criticism.

    How the Holy See ever managed to reach “Sovereign State” status within the United Nations is an absolute wonder, considering its abject inability to address problems of its own making and and its egregious ability to ignore crimes of its own perpetuating. Nothing is ever the Holy See’s problem – it never presents solutions to the international community; it only ever point fingers and objects about the hand that points at it.

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    Mute Mick Jordan.
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:01 PM

    Unfortunaly there are currently to many vested interests in the higher echelons of the Church to change anytime soon. If the full truth ever came out I am sure there would be more than a few cardinals and arch bishops implicated. And such sacking a few priests is just throwing out a bone to keep the dogs at bay.
    The only way to clean house would be a massive effort by law enforcement from across the globe to get full access to every record to investigate both their domestic churches and the Vatican knew and hid. And that is something that the Church would never permit without a direct edict from the Pope.

    52
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    Mute Feakle Mattiere
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:49 PM

    So tell the pope to issue an edict.

    18
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    Mute Mick Jordan.
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:52 PM

    One sec there Feakle I will just get him on speed dial. :-\

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    Mute Jim Flavin
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    Feb 5th 2014, 4:49 PM

    The only way to clean house would be a massive effort by law enforcement from across the globe to get full access to every record to investigate both their domestic churches and the Vatican knew and hid.
    —-right
    ” And that is something that the Church would never permit without a direct edict from the Pope.”

    - What right has church to stop an investigation – none – this is criminal – so surely comes under the Law of the land – and International law .
    And if they are investigated – a good few ex – popes will not be looking so good ..

    21
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    Mute Mick Jordan.
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:00 PM

    Jim in case you haven’t noticed the Vatican is a sovereign state with all the rights and privileges that entails. And As such they can claim Diplomatic privilege for all and any communications between the Vatican and its representatives (Bishops and Cardinals). Thus denying any investigation under international law.

    15
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    Mute Joanne Bohan
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    Feb 6th 2014, 9:35 AM

    God that’s depressing real god

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    Mute Michele Savage
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    Feb 6th 2014, 1:23 PM

    Unforgivable

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    Mute Cnoc Mor
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:46 PM

    change the word ‘protect’ to ‘make love to’ and it sounds more plausible.

    44
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    Mute Alan Scott
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:22 PM

    With all these old guys hanging on there the Vatican cannot be trusted would anyone sleep in the same house as any of them ? With my eyes opened and a gun in my hand fully loaded ready.

    43
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    Mute William Grogan
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:59 PM

    Why wait? :)

    6
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    Mute J.Rudd
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:16 PM

    Vatican criticises UN for ‘interfering’ – because they interfering with kids.

    Pot calling kettle black?
    Sick convenient blind double standards?

    41
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    Mute Yako
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    Feb 6th 2014, 12:29 AM

    Its not one or the other. Priests who broke the rules abused not the the ‘Vatican’. the committee’s mandate is child abuse not homosexuality or contraception. they are overstepping their mark. Its not fair at all to paint the Vatican as complacent with abuse.

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    Mute Michael Fehily
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:28 PM

    Usual b……t from the Vatican. Always more interested in protecting themselves . How dare the UN ( belately ) criticise them for hiding and protecting paedophiles . How dare the UN criticise them for not giving a damn about their young innocent victims. Those “priests” who destroyed the lives of thousands of children around the world are nothing more than paedophilic criminals . Who could honestly take them seriously. Gangsters..!!

    40
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    Mute Yako
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    Feb 6th 2014, 10:00 AM

    Michael,
    The Vatican is responding to the push for abortion. Accused priests are being tried and convicted. Many thugs have been thrown out of the priesthood. The Vatican is everything in its power to achieve transparency.

    2
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    Mute Michele Savage
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    Feb 6th 2014, 1:24 PM

    And they absolve those crimes (known to them as sins) in confession.

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    Mute mary jones
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:34 PM

    “…interfere with church teaching on the dignity of the human person and in the exercise of religious freedom” Am I reading this right or am I taking out of context if I read this as saying its ok to abuse children because they have no rights and are not yet adults so they don’t need or deserve dignity? And as long as the priest asked forgiveness after, he is ok? That is how it sounds to me. Please feel free to correct my perception, please.

    38
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    Mute Fading Sadness
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:47 PM

    You got it right Mary.I am with you on that interpretation of their ”comments”

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    Mute Damien Quigley
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    Feb 5th 2014, 11:23 PM

    Mary – the Church does not teach that any human person is without basic rights or dignity. Indeed, it is well-known for its view that such dignity exists from the moment of conception to the point of natural death. The reporting here doesn’t elaborate on what the Holy See sees as interfering with its teaching. I, for one, will read both the UN report and the response, rather than these highlights.

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    Mute Yako
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    Feb 6th 2014, 9:53 AM

    You are reading it incorrectly Mary. they are referring to the committee pushing abortion. Child abuse is one of the gravest of sins.

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    Mute Michele Savage
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    Feb 6th 2014, 1:28 PM

    Damien, that is not true for the way they treated girls and women who became pregnant without being married, whose children went on to be treated less well than children born to married women.

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    Mute Dom AcePlazo
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    Feb 5th 2014, 1:58 PM

    Nice one Francy Boy, how are you going to Facebook your way out of this one.

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    Mute Róisín Daly
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:18 PM

    Give me strength who was interfering with who again just to remind me. Grrrr little fe*ken f*ckers.

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    Mute Seamus Larkin
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    Feb 5th 2014, 3:22 PM

    well don’t they have a great record on the protection?,,,,,,,,,,I think not! Well done to the UN. Time now the CC paid compensation to all the children that they were responsible for physically and sexually abusing. Church should have its tax status changed until it complies.

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    Mute Seamus McErlain
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:07 PM

    One must never forget that the vatican owes its existence to that shining example of humanity, Benito Mussolini!

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    Mute Dean Anderson
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:33 PM

    And it has its good relations with Adolf Hitler to thank for its survival during WW2. The Vatican replayed the favour by spiriting away dozens of war criminals to South America along its “Rat lines” and stuffing the Vatican banks coffers in the process. A truly ungodly organisation

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:16 PM

    http://one-evil.org/content/entities_organizations_nazi_ss.html

    Just providing the link to confirm your words.

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:18 PM

    http://one-evil.org/content/entities_organizations_nazi_ss.html

    “As the Nazi SS order (“Knights of the Holy See”) were formed by a formal Papal act and Deed in the form of the Reich Concordat 1933, the continued existence of the Nazi SS Order is conditional upon this legal document remaining enacted. Given the German Government and Holy See (Vatican) continue to honor this Concordat to this day, the SS remains legally and technical still enacted, now bestowed unto a new organization.”

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    Mute Beabad Bishop
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    Feb 5th 2014, 6:38 PM

    Catherine its worth mentioning the church’s support for the mass killings in Central Croatia during World War http://www.jasenovac.org/exhibits.php

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    Mute Fading Sadness
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:45 PM

    They will do as they say,That I have little doubt,However their priority will always be priests and the church.It is this kind of hollow claim that is continuously causing pain and suffering to those who have suffered at the hands of abusers and It is this tired word game that will continue to be played by the church until it wins this war of attrition it is fighting with the victims and the authorities.It is wrong and the authorities have the power to stop it being played out so and take real meaningful action against the church for its disgraceful handling of the whole abuse scandal.Cardinals and bishops should be brought to court and questioned under oath as to their knowledge of the various events that has led to the cover up orchestrated and executed by church hierarchy.They have been allowed to break the law with impunity for too long and it must end now.

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    Mute Leonie Hilliard
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    Feb 5th 2014, 4:39 PM

    ‘it “regrets” that some of the observations by the committee on the rights of the child are an attempt to “interfere with Catholic Church teaching on the dignity of the human person and in the exercise of religious freedom”’

    Yes, the dignity of the paedophiles who repeatedly abused and raped children, and the accomplices who protected and assisted them, is in serious danger, courtesy of the UN’s zany idea that ‘religious freedom’ does not entitle abusers to protection from the law and a sanctuary to continue abuse. I don’t detect any contrition in the Vatican response. Just deflection and self righteous outrage…as per usual.

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    Mute Judy Block-Jones
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    Feb 5th 2014, 3:14 PM

    This UN report gives hope to the thousands of still suffering clergy sex abuse victims throughout the world. This report says Catholic church officials are to….

    —Immediately remove all known and suspected child sexual abusers from assignment and refer the matter to the relevant law enforcement authorities for investigation and prosecution purposes;

    —Ensure a transparent sharing of all archives which can be used to hold the abusers accountable as well as all those who concealed their crimes and knowingly placed offenders in contact with children

    —Promote the reform of statute of limitations in countries where they impede victims of child sexual abuse from seeking justice and redress; (In reality, time and time again, Catholic officials have worked hard (even hiring lobby groups) to fight against this simple reform.)

    Now it’s up to secular officials (especially legislators and law enforcement) to follow the UN’s lead and step in to safeguard innocent children, because Catholic officials are either incapable or unwilling to do so. According to this UN report, “the Vatican still places children in many countries at high risk of sexual abuse, as dozens of child sexual offenders are reported to still be in contact with children.

    Silence is not an option anymore, only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others.
    Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511, snapjudy@gmail.com
    SNAP “Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests”

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    Mute Michele Savage
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    Feb 6th 2014, 12:05 PM

    Judy, priests etc. have powerful positions in many communities, and enforced silence will prevail in those environments

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Feb 5th 2014, 3:38 PM

    The Vatican response would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic

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    Mute Michele Savage
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    Feb 6th 2014, 12:09 PM

    And from men who have been so privileged in receiving such access to education and the ensuing status. Sick organisation which self-protects at any cost, and how they can reconcile this with answering ‘God’s calling’….

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    Mute Matthias Baumann
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:43 PM

    The Vatican is clearly a “rogue state” by definition! A mafia, full of shameless old men with no morals and dignity! The whole Catholic Church is nothing but organised crime with some questionable charity work on grass roots level only in place as a smoke screen! Nothing good came ever from that disgusting sect of child abusers and crooks!

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Feb 5th 2014, 6:01 PM

    Maybe now that Sadam is dead there is a spare spot in the Axis of Evil that The Vatican could step into.

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    Mute Matthias Baumann
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    Feb 5th 2014, 6:23 PM

    The Vatican is in a completely different league to Saddam, much more blood on the Vatican’s hand….

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    Mute Jonathan Wilson
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:29 PM

    The church has both good people and bad people, why are the good ones lets the bad ones get away with this.

    When Jesus comes back he’ll kick some ******* ass! Or maybe he’s just too embarrassed to ever comeback now!

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    Mute Dean Anderson
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    Feb 5th 2014, 2:42 PM

    It seems to me that the catholic church is so aware of its own love of money, lies and power that it is too afraid to claim that it has anything at all to do with Jesus Christ in case he stops by to smite them and put an end to its multi billion dollar roadshow. That’s why it harps on so much about being founded by St Peter etc. etc.

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    Mute Alan R
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    Feb 5th 2014, 3:10 PM

    I’d say you could be waiting a while longer. Jesus was supposed to come back in his apostles generation(“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all these things take place.”) , We’re still waiting of course…

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    Mute Leonie Hilliard
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    Feb 5th 2014, 4:52 PM

    Pity Jesus’s ‘embarrassment’ trumped any inclination he might have had to intervene to prevent such disgusting abuses taking place in the first place! Pity that his ‘embarrassment’ precludes him from encouraging the Vatican to come clean even now. That’s some potent embarrassment he’s got there.

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Feb 5th 2014, 6:40 PM

    Really, you have to wonder are they all smoking something in the Vatican. The seem to be on a complete unreality trip.

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    Mute GayMor+m McJordi_l
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    Feb 5th 2014, 10:31 PM

    mary kavanagh! long time no hear!…i desire nothing that i want..wasnt kavanaugh a peot? the wink and elbow language of delight! i cant have fun dicretely but im happy out in the open! Mary! wise up! you having a street party ? Muse!looking forward to another Royal wedding… you f$kn S.A.S! strip&shot. Go on beeetch! you,s contact me? confirmed? 00.00 take bat…

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    Mute Beabad Bishop
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    Feb 5th 2014, 6:46 PM
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    Mute Yako
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    Feb 6th 2014, 9:56 AM

    No it doesn’t. There is difference between convected and alleged. Wait till this man is tried in court before assuming the allegations are true.

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:27 PM

    VATICAN (=Latin Mons Vaticanus) City of Dead; a Necropolis, previous cemetery & Temple of Goddess Cybele

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Feb 5th 2014, 9:22 PM

    Wow. Amazing. Profound. Such analysis. You do know that Dan Brown is fiction, right?
    Seriously…what whacked out shit are you smoking?
    The Church is a human organisation dedicated to perpetuating itself, for the greater good, as long as it gets to choose what ‘good’ is. Very simple. Human, corrupt, the politics of personal desires. But really…Moloch? A bit over-egged, doncha think? Somewhere in the deepest crypts below St. Peter’s, a monster stirs…wonderful stuff, you should write a book…

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    Mute Catherine Mill
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:26 PM

    http://one-evil.org/content/entities_organizations_catholic_church.html
    “The Catholic Church was founded in 742 by the brothers Pepin the Short, Carloman and Winfred — sons of “Charles Martel — at the 1st Ecumenical Council at St. Denis in Paris.”
    The birth of the Papal States in support of the legitimacy of the “Donation of Constantine”Legitimate Catholic Pope Clement II became the first Catholic Pope to return to Rome since Adrian II. Clement then remained in power until the death of the Emperor in 1056.
    Then in 1057 “Pope” Gregory VII (1057-1084) became the first genuine High Priest (Pontifex Maximus) who converted to Catholicism and founded the key doctrine of the Roman Cult- a parastic demonic and satanic set of heresies that have existed in direct opposition to the founding doctrine of both christianity and Catholicism for one thousand years.
    Gregory VII is credited with merging the blood human sacrifice rituals of the Mother Goddess (“Magna Mater”), changing her name to Mary into the liturgy claimed to be “Catholic”. While Henry IV invaded Italy and executed Gregory in 1084, the Roman Cult survived through the treacherous bloodlines of the Princes of Benevento who through the scheming Pope Urban II (also known as Peter the Hermit) succeeded in rallying an army and captured the Imperial records of Constantinople.
    Once the Roman Cult had the original records concerning the formation of Christianity, it was only a matter of time before a truce could be forced to ensure the Roman Cult could maintain its parasitic control over Catholicism. This event occurred at the Concordat of Worms in 1123 between Roman Cult leader Callixtus II and Holy Catholic Emperor Henry V.”

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    Mute Jeremy Usbourne
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:46 PM

    Are you OK??!

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Feb 5th 2014, 9:25 PM

    Don’t think she is.

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Feb 5th 2014, 9:25 PM

    Don’t think she is.

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    Mute Michele Savage
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    Feb 6th 2014, 1:12 AM

    Damien, after hundreds and hundreds of years in the role of ‘moral leadership’ in what they call ‘the one true faith’, they would not, could not, and did acknowledge the criminality of child sexual abuse by their own agents, to the point of discrediting/hushing up those who made allegations, and failed to report the crimes to civic law enforcement authorities. After that how can you be sure that a proposed change in law by September 1st will universally percolate through into practice when Canon Law is supposed to be adhered to by Roman Catholic clergy worldwide, as we know only too well to the detriment of many, many children and vulnerable young women. And those priests, bishops and so on who obfuscated and denied the truth are relatively privileged and ‘educated’ men.

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    Mute Roberto Mancini
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    Feb 5th 2014, 5:36 PM

    Is there anything that can be said for another mass?

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    Mute Mark Leahy
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    Feb 5th 2014, 11:35 PM

    A bit holier than thou….me thinks

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    Mute John Kelly
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    Mar 21st 2014, 9:32 PM

    The people of Ireland are very angry with the Vatican and the state because of all the cover up on the abuse of so many children. They preach to all catholics on marriage,contraception,homosexuality and abortion but when it comes to the abuse of children by their own clergy they have behaved in a deplorable and disgusting manner.

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    Mute GayMor+m McJordi_l
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    Feb 5th 2014, 10:27 PM

    everyone needs to be gay..outlaw straight people

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