UK STUDY CALLS FOR CHECKS ON CHURCH

In a report commissioned by the church, all clergy, staff and volunteers in the Roman Catholic Church should be subject to police checks to stamp out sexual abuse of children.  The report added that the church must also not hush up allegations of abuse.  Between 1995 and 1999, 21 of the 5,600 Catholic priests in England and Wales were convicted of offenses against children, and two archbishops have been embroiled in controversies about their handling of pedophile priests.

(London)