Vatican holds 3 day summit on sex abuse

The Vatican began an unprecedented three-day summit on sexual abuse of minors by members of the Catholic Church, yesterday. Demonstrators, including the families of past victims, and survivors of paedophilia themselves, gathered outside the Vatican. Many said to the multitudes of press assembled that they had low hopes for the event, and that it was “essentially a marketing exercise” for the Church, which is fighting an ever-increasing battle to improve its image with regards to the behaviour of its priests. Pope Francis was more optimistic, asserting that “faced with the plague of sexual abuses committed by men of this church, concrete and effective measures are expected”. The event is being attended by 190 high-ranking church officials from around the world, who will hear testimony from abuse victims over 3 days, and debate proposals to address the issue, behind closed doors.