PAPAL VISIT TO THE UK

That this House notes the timing of the release of a report in Belgium which appears to show that instances of sexual abuse are so widespread throughout sections of the Roman Catholic Church that it is virtually endemic; also notes that this report comes out on the same week that the Pope visits the UK, that the former Bishop of Bruges resigned as a result of a similar scandal, that numerous victims committed suicide and hundreds of others have come forward demanding action against their abusers; and considers that this type of illegal, monstrous and reprehensible activity will be assessed by many when they are deciding whether the visit by Pope Benedict to the UK is one that they consider worthwhile as well as assessing whether they should be asked to pay in part for it.