The Vatican is to set up a new e-learning centre to help safeguard children and victims of sexual abuse by clergy, as part of its efforts to deal with damaging scandals.
The Roman Catholic Church is preparing for a major conference on abuse to take place next February in Rome. The Vatican has told bishops to come up with guidelines to combat abuse, in line with local laws. The Catholic Church has been rocked by scandals of sexual abuse by priests.
The centre will offer guidance to those who have to respond to abuse cases, as well as providing information for victims. Its advice will be available in German, English, French, Spanish and Italian.
"The e-learning centre will work with medical institutions and universities to develop a constant response to the problems of sexual abuse," said Monsignor Klaus Peter Franzl of the archdiocese of Munich, according to the Reuters news agency.
Officials said private donors had pledged funds to maintain the database for an initial three years, the Associated Press reported.
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