Child advocacy group urge respect before protection of children
(April 24, 2010) Young people need to be protected from pedophiles, but even more
fundamentally they need to be respected, said the International Catholic Child Bureau.
In a communiqué released last week, the Swiss-based group stated, "Before acts of
pedophilia" take place "let us develop a culture of respect for the dignity and rights
of the child." The organization, founded in 1948, in response to a call from Pope
Pius XII to assist children harmed by war, is dedicated to advocacy for the rights
of children. The communiqué condemned "every form of sexual abuse of children wherever
it is committed and no matter who the instigators are," and particularly expressed
concern over abuse of children by Catholic priests. It also commended the Holy See’s
publication of guidelines that call for, among other things, systematic recourse to
civil justice in cases of abuse or sexual violence.