It was appropriate that the Holy See, and not the Vatican City, was treated as representing the entire Catholic Church when its representatives testified before the UN committee. Its ancient status is unique, though still frequently misunderstood, as an expert on diplomacy explains he recent report by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child makes devastating reading. At its core is the contention that, in dealing with child victims of different forms of abuse, the Holy See has systematically placed preservation of the reputation of the Church and the alleged offender above the protection of child victims. Looking at the historical evidence, it is an irrefutable argument. The committee also refers frequently to the Vatican City state and the Holy See, underlining the dual nature of th