Vatican child protection watchdog pulls its punches

VATICAN CITY: A new Vatican child protection panel called on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) for abusers within the Church to be held accountable for their actions, but stopped short of saying how this should be achieved. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which counts two victims of clerical abuse among its 16 members, said it would prepare materials for a day of prayer for victims and that it was making an initial proposal to Pope Francis.

The multinational panel did not divulge what the proposal was: a move likely to draw criticism from victims' groups who accuse the Church of failing to take decisive action to stamp our pedophilia within its ranks.