Vatican ‘ordered abuse cover-up’ in 1962
From the BBC
“The Vatican told Catholic bishops around the world to cover up cases of sexual abuse, London’s Observer newspaper has reported.
The newspaper quotes a 69-page document, written in 1962 and sent to every bishop in the world, which has been obtained by a lawyer acting for alleged victims of abuse by Catholic priests
The document bears the seal of Pope John XXIII, and calls for “strictest” secrecy in dealing with abuse allegations within the Church.
It threatens to throw out of the Church anyone who breaks their silence.
“It proves there was an international conspiracy by the Church to hush up sexual abuse issues,” Texan lawyer Daniel Shea told the newspaper.
“It is a devious attempt to conceal criminal conduct and is a blueprint for deception and concealment.”
I was raised Catholic. Pope John XXIII was the presumed liberal who called Vatican II. For him to have ordered a coverup of sexual abuse of children by police is truly stomach-turning.