Vatican to tackle rights of priests’ children

An organisation that represents the children of priests has said the Vatican will have to directly address the issue after it emerged Pope Francis’s committee of advisers on protecting children is already looking at the rights of children fathered by Roman Catholic priests.

Coping International, founded by Irishman Vincent Doyle and representing the children of priests in various countries around the world, made the comments after it emerged the Pontiff’s committee of advisers on protecting children from sexually abusive priests was expanding its workload to cover the area.

Irish bishops led the way by developing and publishing a set of guidelines earlier this year which focused on the wellbeing of the children of priests and also the mother, including addressing any psychological issues arising from stigma or lack of recognition up to now for their situation.