UN criticises Vatican on sex abuse record

A UN human rights committee has denounced the Vatican for adopting policies that allowed priests to rape and molest tens of thousands of children over decades, and urged it to open its files on the paedophiles and churchmen who concealed their crimes.

In a devastating report, the UN committee also severely criticised the Holy See for its attitudes towards homosexuality, contraception and abortion and said it should review its policies to ensure children’s rights and their access to healthcare are guaranteed.