text: January 16, 2014, the UN Committee on the Rights of Children hearings on the Holy See began in Geneva. Significant moments include: 
  • The Vatican had to admit publicly that it still does not require the reporting of child sex crimes to civil authorities. Nor does it take this step when priests are defrocked.
  • The Holy See still refused to provide the data requested on July 1.
  • The Vatican believes that it is the obligation of the individual perpetrator, not the Church, to compensate victims.
  • Religious orders, which comprise one third to one half of the world’s Catholic clerics, still are not being compelled by the Holy See to create abuse policies.
  Tomasi response: “We have to keep in mind that even though there are 400 million cases of abuse a year regarding children, unfortunately some cases effect also Church personnel...Some NGOs that support homosexuality, same-sex marriage and other issues reinforced [the committee’s] line of thought in some way.”