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The Vatican has lashed out at criticism over its handling of its paedophilia crisis by saying the Catholic church was "busy cleaning its own house" and that the problems with clerical sex abuse in other churches were as big, if not bigger.
In a defiant and provocative statement, issued following a meeting of the UN human rights council in Geneva, the Holy See said the majority of Catholic clergy who committed such acts were not paedophiles but homosexuals attracted to sex with adolescent males.
The statement, read out by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican's permanent observer to the UN, defended its record by claiming that "available research" showed that only 1.5%-5% of Catholic clergy were involved in child sex abuse.
He also quoted statistics from the Christian Scientist Monitor newspaper to show that most US churches being hit by child sex abuse allegations were Protestant and that sexual abuse within Jewish communities was common..
...The statement concluded: "As the Catholic church has been busy cleaning its own house, it would be good if other institutions and authorities, where the major part of abuses are reported, could do the same and inform the media about it."
The Holy See launched its counter–attack after an international representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, Keith Porteous Wood, accused it of covering up child abuse and being in breach of several articles under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Representatives from other religions were dismayed by the Holy See's attempts to distance itself from controversy by pointing the finger at other faiths.
The statement, read out by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican's permanent observer to the UN, defended its record by claiming that "available research" showed that ONLY 1.5%-5% of Catholic clergy were involved in child sex abuse. (same source/emph. mine)
Originally posted by karl 12
the majority of Catholic clergy who committed such acts werenot paedophiles but homosexuals attracted to sex with adolescent males.
Sex abuse rife in all religions, admits Vatican
Originally posted by TheOneElectric
According to the previous Pope, there is no hell.
Originally posted by MR BOB
i dont know how Big exactly is the cathlic church...
Originally posted by FlyersFan
Sex abuse is higher in American public schools then in the Catholic church and yet the 'in vogue' thing to do is slam the Catholic church and give the public schools a free pass. :shk:
Originally posted by schrodingers dog
Originally posted by karl 12
The statement, read out by Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Vatican's permanent observer to the UN, defended its record by claiming that "available research" showed that ONLY 1.5%-5% of Catholic clergy were involved in child sex abuse. (same source/emph. mine)
Never mind the lame deflective excuses ... THAT has to be one of the most disturbing statements I have EVER heard!