Vatican City, Feb 23, 2004 / 22:00 pm
The Pontifical Academy for Life published yesterday a report containing the reflections of a study group convened by the Holy See to tackle the problem of sexual misconduct by priests. The report states that the help of experts in diverse areas is necessary to address the problem.
The report contains the results of a scientific symposium which took place in April of 2003 and was entitled, “Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church—Legal and Scientific Perspectives.”
According to the Holy See, rehabilitation with psychologists and psychiatrists can offer useful means to prevent cases of misconduct and to protect victims.
The symposium of 2003 brought together experts in the field from the US, Canada, and Germany, as well as therapists who specialize in helping those who suffer from this problem to recover.
Representatives from various Vatican dicasteries, such as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the Congregation for Clergy, among others, also attended the event.