Confidential letter reveals Ratzinger ordered bishops to keep allegations secret
Pope Benedict XVI faced claims last night he had 'obstructed justice' after it emerged he issued an order ensuring the church's investigations into child sex abuse claims be carried out in secret.
The order was made in a confidential letter, obtained by The Observer, which was sent to every Catholic bishop in May 2001.
It asserted the church's right to hold its inquiries behind closed doors and keep the evidence confidential for up to 10 years after the victims reached adulthood. The letter was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was elected as John Paul II's successor last week.
Lawyers acting for abuse victims claim it was designed to prevent the allegations from becoming public knowledge or being investigated by the police. They accuse Ratzinger of committing a 'clear obstruction of justice'. Read complete article: by Jamie Doward – guardian.co.uk - The Observer - 2005
Related links:
Irish Catholic Church covered up child abuse, report says – CNN.Com - November 26, 2009
Sex Crimes And The Vatican is on BBC1 - 2006
Pope 'led cover-up of child abuse by priests'| News | This is London - 2006
Pope, Irish bishops plan summit on child abuse - Huffington Post - Shawn Pogatchnik - Jan 20, 2010
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