Experts say Catholic priest abuse policy problematic

The US Catholic Church's "zero tolerance" on sexual abuse by priests could pose a danger to society because it could deter some clerics from seeking help, medical experts said in a study yesterday.

The "zero tolerance" charter was adopted by the Catholic Church in the United States after a crisis sparked by revelations of sexual abuse by priests exploded in 2002.

The study, commissioned by the Vatican, said the US policy, aimed at dealing with abuse allegations and preventing further cases, could deter sex offenders from seeking and receiving treatment and leave them without supervision.

"Zero tolerance" was too reactionary, the study concluded. "The experts come from different perspectives and have different opinions, but on the topic (of 'zero tolerance') they were agreed that it was a problematic principle," said Manfred Luetz, a German psychiatrist and editor of the study, which was presented to journalists.