Vatican report is ‘window dressing’, say abuse victims

Clerical abuse victims have criticised the summary of the Vatican report into child protection practices as “window dressing”, but priests and the hierarchy have praised the document.

Last night, it emerged that child protection legislation was being prepared. Frances Fitzgerald, the children’s minister, said child protection guidelines would soon be on a statutory footing.

She was responding to the report drawn up by four bishops who travelled to Ireland at the request of Pope Benedict two years ago.