Abuse rampant in Catholic institutions

An inquiry into child abuse at Irish Catholic institutions in Ireland has revealed that church leaders were aware of the widespread sexual exploitation of boys.



The report also found that physical and emotional abuse and neglect were features of the institutions.



It also indicated that girls supervised by nuns suffered much less sexual abuse but frequent assaults and humiliation designed to make them feel worthless.



The five-volume study concluded that church officials encouraged ritual beatings and consistently shielded pedophiles from arrest.



It also found that government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rapes and humiliation.