Catholic groups on Tuesday accused Italy's Church of an "institutional failure" to confront clergy sexual abuse, and demanded an independent national inquiry mirroring ones conducted in France and Germany.
A collective of nine groups - seven headed by women - issued the demand during the launch of a campaign called "Beyond the Great Silence" and a hashtag, #ItalyChurchToo, inspired by the international #MeToo movement against sexual harassment.
In an online news conference, Paola Lazzarini, head of Women in the Church, called for the opening of the archives of "all dioceses, convents and monasteries", damages for victims and the uncovering of the truth, "however painful".
