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

___________________________________________________________

 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".

___________________________________________________________

 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.

___________________________________________________________

 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.

___________________________________________________________

For more information and to search for documents refer to the site:
www.visnews.org and www.vatican.va

Copyright (VIS):  the news contained in the services of the Vatican
Information Service may be reproduced wholly or partially by quoting
the source:  V. I. S. - Vatican Information Service.
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/press/vis/vis_en.html

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS=Huntsville AL=bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)