VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
YEAR XXIV - # 95
DATE 23-05-2014

Summary:
- FRANCIS COMMENDS HIS PILGRIMAGE TO MARY
- FIRST POSITIVE CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE HOLY SEE REPORT FOR THE
CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
- NOTICE

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 FRANCIS COMMENDS HIS PILGRIMAGE TO MARY
 Vatican City, 23 May 2014 (VIS) - Early this morning the Holy Father made
a private visit to the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major, to pray to the
Virgin and to commend to her his upcoming apostolic trip to the Holy Land.
After praying for around fifteen minutes, the bishop of Rome offered a
bouquet of roses in homage to Mary "Salus populi romani".

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 FIRST POSITIVE CONCLUSIONS REGARDING THE HOLY SEE REPORT FOR THE
CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE
 Vatican City, 23 May 2014 (VIS) - The Committee for the Convention Against
Torture (CAT) has released an advance unedited version of its Concluding
Observations on the Initial Report of the Holy See. These Observations
recognise that the Holy See has made many serious and substantial reforms
on its procedures that further advance the principles and objectives of the
CAT. The Concluding Observations acknowledge extensively the good faith
efforts of the Holy See to comply with and advance the CAT, to institute
reforms to prevent sexual abuse, and to compensate and facilitate the care
and healing of the victims of sexual abuse.
 The report states that the Committee did not find the Holy See in
violation of the CAT, and acknowledges that the Holy See and Catholic
dioceses and religious orders have instituted important efforts to prevent
sexual abuse. The Committee appreciates the open and constructive dialogue
with the high-level delegation of the Holy See and notes that many Catholic
dioceses and religious orders have provided financial settlements to
victims of sexual abuse. Finally, the Conclusions do not assert that the
Church's efforts to protect the unborn are a form of torture or cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment under the CAT, thus
safeguarding the fundamental human right of freedom of religion and opinion
and the protection and promotion of human life.

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 NOTICE
 Vatican City, 23 May 2014 (VIS) - The Vatican Information Service will
issue special bulletins tomorrow, Saturday 24 May, and Sunday 25 May,
covering the Pope's apostolic pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

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