Vatican condemns sex abuse in wake of Jimmy Savile revelations

Last updated on: October 30, 2012 at 10:05 am by CNA Daily News

Vatican condemns sex abuse in wake of Jimmy Savile revelations 2012-10-30T10:05:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Oct 30, 2012 / 04:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican has reiterated condemnation of sexual abuse following allegations against deceased British TV star Jimmy Savile, who during his life was given a papal knighthood for his charity work.

“The Holy See condemns in the strongest terms the heinous crimes of sexual abuse of children, takes very seriously what has come to light about Jimmy Savile,” said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi on Oct. 27.

“It is deeply saddened that a person who is stained in this way could in his lifetime be proposed for an honor by the Holy See, which, in the light of what has been learned recently, certainly should not have been given.”

Savile died October 2011 and was a popular media personality in Britain starting in the 1960s. However, some 300 cases of sexual abuse of minors, both male and female, have come to light since his death.

For his charity work he received a papal knighthood, one of the highest honors bestowed by the Pope, and reserved for members of the military and other laypersons. Pope Bl. John Paul II made Savile a Knight Commander of St. Gregory the Great in 1990.

The same year, Savile was knighted as a Knight Bachelor “for charitable services” by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

Following the sex-abuse allegations, the head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, wrote the Vatican asking if it were possible to revoke Savile’s papal knighthood.

Fr. Lombardi said in his statement that the honor “perishes with the death of the individual,” and so there is no process for removing the knighthood posthumously.

“Since there is no permanent register of persons who have received such recognition, it is not possible to expel a dead person from a register that does not exist. Decorated names do not appear at any time in the pontifical yearbook.”

“What is most important is therefore to reiterate the strongest condemnation of all sexual abuse, particularly against children, as serious crimes. On this the Holy See is steadfast.”

The BBC, for whom Savile worked as a TV and radio presenter, is under review for its child protection and sexual harassment policies.

This comes amidst suspicion that Savile's proclivities were known and covered-up by members of the corporation.

It has been criticized for failing to stop the abuse, which allegedly happened at times on BBC property.

The BBC is also being scrutinized for its shelving of a 2011 report on claims against Savile which was being prepared for the TV program Newsnight.

Vatican

Previous Post

October 30, 2012

New website gathers video resources for Catholic ministry

Next Post

October 30, 2012 Pope urges respect for rights of migrants, refugees

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

I was made a watchman for the house of Israel. If I failed to warn the wicked, whose blood would be required?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The wicked person's No one's The watchman's The people's