The five-volume, 2,500-page report of the government-appointed Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in state-funded Roman Catholic Church-run institutions dating back to the 1930s, is displayed following a press conference at the Conrad Hotel, in Dublin, Ireland, on May 20, 2009. Sexual abuse of children was "endemic" in boys' institutions in Ireland and church leaders knew about it, a major report on mistreatment in church-run bodies dating back to the 1930s said Wednesday. "Sexual abuse was endemic in boys� institutions," said the long-awaited major official report, adding that: "Sexual abuse was known to religious authorities to be a persistent problem in male religious organisations." Getty Images logo Getty Images 6 months ago

The five-volume, 2,500-page report of the government-appointed Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse in state-funded Roman Catholic Church-run institutions dating back to the 1930s, is displayed following a press conference at the Conrad Hotel, in Dublin, Ireland, on May 20, 2009. Sexual abuse of children was "endemic" in boys' institutions in Ireland and church leaders knew about it, a major report on mistreatment in church-run bodies dating back to the 1930s said Wednesday. "Sexual abuse was endemic in boys� institutions," said the long-awaited major official report, adding that: "Sexual abuse was known to religious authorities to be a persistent problem in male religious organisations."

More Photos of

Explore Photos of Related Topics

  1. The Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament (R) and the First Baptist Church (L) are seen on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California on September 14, 2009.
  2. Pope Benedict XVI, at right in white, listens on during the inauguration of the new building of the Institute Paul VI in Concesio, near Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. The pontiff made a one-day pilgrimage Sunday to northern Italy to pay tribute to Paul VI, his predecessor who made him a cardinal. Paul VI was elected pope in 1963, taking over from John XXIII who began the Second Vatican Council, a landmark initiative to modernize the policies and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Paul led the council to its completion, which Benedict attended as an up-and-coming theologian.
  3. Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives on his popemobile in Concesio, near Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. The pontiff made a one-day pilgrimage Sunday to northern Italy to pay tribute to Paul VI, his predecessor who made him a cardinal. Paul VI was elected pope in 1963, taking over from John XXIII who began the Second Vatican Council, a landmark initiative to modernize the policies and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Paul led the council to its completion, which Benedict attended as an up-and-coming theologian.
  4. Pope Benedict XVI arrives on his popemobile in Concesio, near Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. The pontiff made a one-day pilgrimage Sunday to northern Italy to pay tribute to Paul VI, his predecessor who made him a cardinal. Paul VI was elected pope in 1963, taking over from John XXIII who began the Second Vatican Council, a landmark initiative to modernize the policies and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Paul led the council to its completion, which Benedict attended as an up-and-coming theologian.
  5. Pope Benedict XVI is kissed by a child as he meets the faithful of the village of Botticino, near Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI made a one-day pilgrimage Sunday to northern Italy to pay tribute to Paul VI, his predecessor who made him a cardinal. Paul VI was elected pope in 1963, taking over from John XXIII who began the Second Vatican Council, a landmark initiative to modernize the policies and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Paul led the council to its completion, which Benedict attended as an up-and-coming theologian.
  6. A view of Brescia's cathedral in Paul VI square, as Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a mass, in Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI made a one-day pilgrimage Sunday to northern Italy to pay tribute to Paul VI, his predecessor who made him a cardinal. Paul VI was elected pope in 1963, taking over from John XXIII who began the Second Vatican Council, a landmark initiative to modernize the policies and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Paul led the council to its completion, which Benedict attended as an up-and-coming theologian.
  7. Jose R. Feliciano, 64, the man charged with fatally stabbing a New Jersey priest, is brought into the courtroom of Judge Thomas V. Manahan for a bail hearing, Thursday, Oct. 29. 2009, in Morristown, N.J. Feliciano has been held on murder and weapons charges since last Friday when the body of 61-year-old Rev. Ed Hinds was discovered at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church in Chatham, N.J.
  8. Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, left, from the Anglican church listens as Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols, unseen, from the Roman Catholic Church speaks during a news conference in London, held in reaction to the announcement of a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops.
  9. Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, left, from the Anglican church listens as Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols from the Roman Catholic Church speaks during a news conference in London, held in reaction to the announcement of a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops.
  10. Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, center, and Bishop Christopher Hill, left, from the Anglican church listen as Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols from the Roman Catholic Church speaks during a news conference in London, held in reaction to the announcement of a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops.
  11. Britain's Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, left, from the Anglican church listens as Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols from the Roman Catholic Church speaks during a news conference in London, held in reaction to the announcement of a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI has created a new church structure for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church, responding to the disillusionment of some Anglicans over the ordination of women and the election of openly gay bishops.
  12. Cardinal William Joseph Levada talks during a news conference at the Vatican October 20, 2009. Pope Benedict has approved a document that would make it easier for Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church. The move comes after years of discontent in the 70 milion-strong worldwide Anglican community about the liberal attitudes of some parts of the church towards women priest and homosexual bishops.
  13. Cardinal William Joseph Levada gestures during a news conference at the Vatican October 20, 2009. Pope Benedict has approved a document that would make it easier for Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church. The move comes after years of discontent in the 70 milion-strong worldwide Anglican community about the liberal attitudes of some parts of the church towards women priest and homosexual bishops.
  14. Cardinal William Joseph Levada gestures during a news conference at the Vatican October 20, 2009. Pope Benedict has approved a document that would make it easier for Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church. The move comes after years of discontent in the 70 milion-strong worldwide Anglican community about the liberal attitudes of some parts of the church towards women priest and homosexual bishops.
  15. Cardinal William Joseph Levada gestures during a news conference at the Vatican October 20, 2009. Pope Benedict has approved a document that would make it easier for Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church. The move comes after years of discontent in the 70 milion-strong worldwide Anglican community about the liberal attitudes of some parts of the church towards women priest and homosexual bishops.
  16. Pope Benedict XVI caresses a child as he arrives in front of the house where Giovanni Battista Montini, the future Paul VI, was born in 1897, in Concesio, near Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Nov.8, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI made a one-day pilgrimage Sunday to northern Italy to pay tribute to Paul VI, his predecessor who made him a cardinal. Paul VI was elected pope in 1963, taking over from John XXIII who began the Second Vatican Council, a landmark initiative to modernize the policies and practices of the Roman Catholic Church. Paul led the council to its completion, which Benedict attended as an up-and-coming theologian.

Recent Photos From The Wire

  1. Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (L) poses after being presented with the King Abdull Aziz Medal by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah (R) at the Royal Palace in Jeddah November 22, 2009.
  2. England's bowler Tim Bresnan celebrates after dismissing South Africa's captain Graeme Smith, unseen, for 12 runs during the One-Day International cricket match at Supersport Park in Centurion, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.
  3. England's bowler Tim Bresnan celebrates after dismissing South Africa's captain Graeme Smith, unseen, for 12 runs during the One-Day International cricket match at Supersport Park in Centurion, South Africa, Sunday Nov. 22, 2009.
  4. MIAMI BEACH, FL - NOVEMBER 21: Eva Longoria Parker attends The Rally For Kids With Cancer - Start Your Engines Brunch at Eden Roc Resort on November 21, 2009 in Miami Beach, Florida.
  5. A photographer waits for clients on Noor Mountain in the holy city of Mecca before the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage November 22, 2009.
  6. Pilgrims wait to see a cave where Prophet Mohammad prayed on Noor Mountain in the holy city of Mecca before the start of the annual Hajj pilgrimage November 22, 2009.
  7. A woman and her daughter look at a "kiku ningyo" (chrysanthemum doll) during a Chrysanthemum festival at the Yushima Tenjin shrine in Tokyo November 22, 2009. The life-size dolls, covered with parts of chrysanthemum plants, are exhibited along with more than 2,000 chrysanthemum plants at the annual festival.
  8. NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Tarek Elrich of the Jets dribbles the ball during the round 15 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix at EnergyAustralia Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Newcastle, Australia.
  9. NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Fabio Vignaroli of the Jets dribbles the ball ahead of Daniel of the Phoenix during the round 15 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix at EnergyAustralia Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Newcastle, Australia.
  10. NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Fabio Vignaroli of the Jets and Chris Greenacre of the Phoenix contest the ball during the round 15 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix at EnergyAustralia Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Newcastle, Australia.
  11. NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 22: Leo Bertos of the Phoenix dribbles the ball during the round 15 A-League match between the Newcastle Jets and the Wellington Phoenix at EnergyAustralia Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Newcastle, Australia.
  12. CENTURION, SOUTH AFRICA - NOVEMBER 22: Andrew Strauss (2nd L) of England looks on as Graeme Smith of South Africa tosses the coin with match referee Javragal Srinath and commentator Neil Manthorp, during the 2nd ODI match between South Africa and England from SuperSport Park on November 22, 2009 in Centurion, South Africa.
  13. Brazil's players block the ball from Egyptian side during their match in the men's volleyball World Grand Champions Cup in Nagoya, central Japan, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.
  14. Beijing Olympic Gold medalist Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon of Thailand reacts as she fails her attempt in the snatch during the 20th women's group A 53-kilogram category of the World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang, west of Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.
  15. Beijing Olympic Gold medalist Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon of Thailand strains as she fails her attempt in the snatch during the 20th women's group A 53-kilogram category of the World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang, west of Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.
  16. Beijing Olympic Gold medalist Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon of Thailand strains as she fails her attempt in the snatch during the 20th women's group A 53-kilogram category of the World Weightlifting Championships in Goyang, west of Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.