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Vatican Launches Investigation Into Priest And Child Porn

A top priest could stand trial in Vatican City for allegations of possessing child pornography.

Vatican Launches Investigation Into Priest And Child Porn
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The Catholic Church recalled a high-level priest who's in the midst of a child porn investigation from the U.S. 

The unidentified priest worked in the Vatican's U.S. Embassy in Washington, D.C. He could face a trial in Vatican City depending on the findings of the city's investigation.

This comes a few years after the Vatican charged its ambassador to the Dominican Republic with sexually abusing young boys. The ambassador died before a verdict was reached. 

And one of Pope Francis' top advisers is currently facing sex crime charges in Australia. 

A Top Vatican Adviser Is Facing Sexual Assault Charges In Australia
A Top Vatican Adviser Is Facing Sexual Assault Charges In Australia

A Top Vatican Adviser Is Facing Sexual Assault Charges In Australia

Cardinal George Pell is one of the highest-ranking officials at the Vatican.

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The pope declared "zero tolerance" for sexual abuse and created stricter laws to bring justice to survivors, but the scandals still continue. 

U.N. Report Demands Vatican Act Against Child Abuse
U.N. Report Demands Vatican Act Against Child Abuse

U.N. Report Demands Vatican Act Against Child Abuse

In what some are calling a scathing report, the U.N. has demanded the Vatican remove all clergy who are accused or suspected child abusers.

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A recent report suggests the church might have an institutional problem. It found one of the main causes of child abuse in the priesthood is the church's rule that prohibits priests from having sex. 

The report also mentions the church's homophobic environment, priests' restricted contact with women and their easy access to children in parishes and orphanages. 

This most recent case involves allegations of possession of child porn rather than child abuse but still indicates the challenges of trying to reform the institution.