In an unprecedented report the United Nations has condemned the Vatican for adopting policies which allowed members of the clergy to abuse thousands of children.
The body demanded that the Holy See immediately remove all priests known to be or suspected to be child abusers.
The UN Committee on the rights of the Child said it was gravely concerned that the Catholic Church had not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed, and stated its "deepest concern about child sexual abuse committed by members of the Catholic churches who operate under the authority of the Holy See, with clerics having been involved in the sexual abuse of tens of thousands of children worldwide".
UN denounces Vatican over child abuse and demands immediate action - The Guardian (05 Feb 2014)