Rome [Italy]: Scores of people who were allegedly sexually abused by members from the Catholic clergy as children held protests near the Vatican on Saturday (local time).
This comes in the wake of a meeting of Bishops and heads of religious orders from around the world being held to prevent clerical sexual abuse.
Demonstrators, hailing from the United States, New Zealand, and Italy amongst other nations, carried posters which had the zero figure printed on them, symbolising zero tolerance for sexual abuse, reports NHK World.
They have called for the unfrocking of clergy members who have either been found guilty of abusing children or have covered up cases of clerical sexual abuse of minors.
The agitators have also called for an explanation on how reforms will be carried out from the Pope, along with the church.
Meanwhile, high-ranking members from the clergy have condemned clerical sexual abuse and the “slow nature” of response to alleged crimes at the summit, with Archbishop Eamon Martin putting forth that testimonies from survivors of abuse have “brought all of us to our knees”.
Pope Francis earlier rebuked sexual abusers from within the clergy in December last year, following shocking revelations regarding sexual abuse of minors by clergymen which rattled the world.
[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]