Sex, Crimes and the Vatican: Setting the Record Straight
The recent uproar concerning the BBC documentary entitled "Sex Crimes and the Vatican" is nothing new. While bishops in England have united in decrying the BBC program, the Vatican cover-up of sexual abuse of children is well documented and supported by church documents. One such document is the infamous Crimen Solicitationis. The document was issued by the Holy Office (now called the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) in 1962 and in part dealt with clerics abuse of minors and farm animals. Anyone who understands the inner workings of the church realizes that the Vatican doesn't promulgate a document without substantial reason. In other words, the Vatican wouldn't have discussed sexual abuse or solicitation in the confessional unless it was deemed a problem!
Now, in the interest of justice, it must be said that Pope Benedict was not involved in the writing or publication of the 1962 document. However, when he took over that post under John Paul II he did comment on it upheld its essential principles. This is what we can legitimately hold the present Pope accountable.