UN condemns Vatican over child sex abuse

Although there have been news of child abuse in the Vatican for quite sometime now, a UN committee has now officially called on the Vatican to remove all child abusers from its ranks, report them to law enforcement and open the church's archives so that bishops and other officials who concealed crimes could be held accountable.

The hard-hitting report, issued by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, was applauded by victims as a landmark in the Catholic Church's clerical sex abuse scandal.

The report is harshly critical of the church's current practices.

The report also addressed other issues, taking the Vatican to task for its opposition to contraception, homosexuality and abortion in cases of child rape and incest. The committee even suggested that the church amend its canon laws to permit abortions for pregnant girls whose lives and health are at risk.

Read more about it at HERE
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Benedict XVI officially steps down from papacy

So it happens - Pope Benedict XVI has officially resigned, saying that he now "will simply be a pilgrim" starting his last journey on earth.

The pontiff, aged 85, was earlier flown by helicopter from the Vatican to his retreat at Castel Gandolfo, near Rome.

The college of cardinals, headed by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, is now in charge of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics until a new pope is elected.

Benedict vowed "unconditional obedience and reverence" to his successor.

He stepped down after nearly eight years in office - the first pontiff to do so in 600 years.

His decision to resign has been openly criticised by Australia's top Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, who questioned his leadership skills. Also, the Church has been beset by scandals over sexual abuse by priests and leaked confidential documents revealing internal corruption and feuding.

Read more about it at: BBC News
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Pope-Imam Kissing Ad: Vatican takes legal action

[Via BBC Europe] 17 Nov

The disgusting ad that appeared on media recently has raised many an eyebrow all over the world. Although the Italian cloth manufacturing company to which the ad is attributed has already called to pull out the ad, the strong world reaction has compelled Vatican to take legal action.

A statement said the Vatican had told its lawyers in Italy and around the world to "take the proper legal measures" to stop the use of the photo, even in the media.

The ad, with its doctored image, is part of a global advertising campaign. It consists of photo montages of political and religious leaders kissing each other on the mouth. The company said the ad aims to "battle the culture of hate."

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