The Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, Holy See’s representative, told the United Nations in Geneva, that “there are abusers among the members of the most respected professions in the world and, unfortunately, even among the clergy and other staff of the Church.”
For the first time in history, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church participates in a public scrutiny on the rights of the child and the sexual abuse of minors by priests worldwide.
Tomasi acknowledged how serious the situation is particularly in the church, because priests are people who enjoy great confidence and are called to protect all aspects of the person, including physical, emotional and spiritual health. “This trust relationship is critical and requires a great sense of responsibility and respect towards the person that is being served,” Tomasi said.
