UN denounces Vatican for protecting priests over child abuse

The United Nations has denounced the Vatican for adopting policies it says allowed priests to sexually abuse thousands of children over a period of decades. In a scathing report Wednesday, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child said Pope Francis should remove all clergy who are known or suspected as child abusers. The UN watchdog also advised the Vatican to investigate those suspected of concealing the crimes and take them accountable. In response, the Vatican said it would review the report, but criticized the UN body for attempting to interfere with the teachings and values of the Catholic Church.