Holy See responds to UN Committee on Rights of the Child
(Vatican Radio) At the end of its 65th session, the Committee on the Rights of the
Child has published its Concluding Observations on the reviewed Reports of the Holy
See and five States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Congo, Germany,
Portugal, Russian Federation and Yemen).
Please find below a statement issued
by the Holy See following the publishing of the U.N. reports:
According to
the proper procedures forseen for the parties to the Convention, the Holy See takes
note of the Concluding Observations on its Reports, which will be submitted to a thorough
study and examination, in full respect of the Convention in the different areas presented
by the Committee according to international law and practice, as well as taking into
consideration the public interactive debate with the Committee, held on 16 January
2014.
The Holy See does, however, regret to see in some points of the Concluding
Observations an attempt to interfere with Catholic Church teaching on the dignity
of human person and in the exercise of religious freedom.
The Holy See reiterates
its commitment to defending and protecting the rights of the child, in line with the
principles promoted by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and according to
the moral and religious values offered by Catholic doctrine.