The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) has released a scathing report—originally commissioned by Pope Francis—which criticized the Vatican for not taking “the necessary measures to address cases of child sexual abuse and to protect children.” The report said that Catholic Church leaders have “not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed … and has adopted policies and practices which have led to the continuation of the abuse by and the impunity of the perpetrators.” The UNCRC said that the church must “immediately remove” priests who have abused children, saying, “dozens of child sexual offenders are reported to be still in contact with children.” In a response, The Vatican—which seemed surprised by the committee’s harsh tone—criticized the UNCRC for also taking issue with the church’s position on homosexuality and abortion. Though the U.N. does not have power to regulate the Vatican, it has asked the church to implement specified recommendations within the report by 2017 …
