Vatican: firm condemnation of crime of child sexual abuse

(Vatican Radio) Responding to journalists questions Saturday regarding the possible revocation of a Papal knighthood bestowed on British TV personality Jimmy Saville, following recent revelations of accusations that he abused children, Holy See press office director Fr. Federico Lombardi stated:
“As is well known the Holy See firmly condemns the horrible crimes of sexual abuse of minors and considers the revelations regarding Jimmy Savile very grave. It is deeply saddened that a person who has been soiled in this way could in his lifetime have been proposed for an honour by the Holy See, which in the light of recent information should certainly not have been bestowed.
Father Lombdardi continued: "As there does not exist any permanent official list of persons who have received papal honours in the past, it is not possible to strike anyone off a list that does not exist. The names of recipients of papal honours do not appear in the Pontifical Year Book and the honour expires with the death of the individual. The most important thing, therefore, is to reaffirm the Church's condemnation of all forms of sexual abuse, and particularly abuse of minors, as extremely grave crimes. The Holy See is adamant on this point."