A UN rights committee in a shocking report says tens of thousands of children worldwide have been abused systemically for years within the Catholic Church. The committee has also denounced the Vatican for adopting policies that have allowed rapes and molestation of children with impunity for the past decades. It says the Vatican must come clean on records of suspected pedophile priests, and take actions accordingly.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has also criticized the Vatican for its opposition to homosexual activity, contraception and abortion. It says the church should change its rules on abortion, and teach sexual education in Catholic schools. The Holy See was quick to show reactions. It says the UN report on child abuse is distorted, unfair and ideologically slanted. It says UN’s criticism of the Catholic Church’s handling of abortion is an interference in its moral teachings. The Holy Sea also says NGOs that favor gay marriage probably influenced the UN report.

Source: Press TV