Thursday, May 31, 2012

Vatican Official Told Irelands Catholic Bishops In 1997 NOT To Report Priests Suspected Of Child Abuse To The Police.


 50857193 Vatican Letter Vatican officials told Irish not to report child abuse

A Vatican department advised Ireland’s Catholic bishops in 1997 not to report priests suspected of child abuse to the police, a newly revealed letter shows.

Obtained by Irish broadcaster RTE, the letter shows Vatican officials rejected an initiative to begin the “mandatory reporting” of abuse claims.

The proposed policy “gives rise to serious reservations”, it says.

The Vatican has persistently said it never instructed bishops to withhold suspicions or evidence of crimes.

To read more go to the BBC site.