One in Four, the charity for survivors of sexual abuse, has called on the Vatican to acknowledge that there is no link between homosexuality and clerical paedophilia.
Earlier today, the Vatican published a document which said practising homosexuals should be barred from entering the priesthood.
It also said men with what it called 'deep-seated' homosexual tendencies, and those who support gay culture, should also be banned.
The charity said it is concerned that the Church is blaming recent clerical sexual abuse scandals on homosexuality, and therefore denying the institutional failure behind clerical sexual abuse.
According to the document, which was widely leaked in advance, the Church would admit to the priesthood those who clearly overcame homosexual tendencies for at least three years before ordination.
The short document has set off heated debate. Gay groups have said the Catholic Church is using homosexuals as scapegoats for its sexual abuse scandals.
Conservative Catholics have welcomed the document as an important step in the reform of the priesthood, particularly in the United States.
However, many commentators inside and outside the Church have said the document risks alienating men who would be good priests and would be able to honour their vow of celibacy.
