Abuse victims barred from St Peter's Sq

Italian paramilitary police yesterday blocked a boulevard leading to the Vatican to prevent a march by 100 survivors of clergy sex abuse from a dozen countries from reaching St Peter's Square, but later allowed two protesters to leave letters at the Holy See's doorstep.

The candlelit protest was the first significant demonstration in the shadow of the Vatican by people who had been sexually abused by priests as children, and organisers said it would be repeated until the Holy See acts to ensure children are safe.