It's what Pope Francis has called "the shame of the Church" -- a child sex abuse scandal that has plagued the Catholic church for years.<br /> <br />Now, the U.N. wants to know the full scope of the alleged child sex abuses, demanding more transparency.<br /> <br />A U.N. panel of child protection experts grilled a delegation of Vatican officials in Geneva for six hours over its handling of the allegations that involve clergy around the world.<br /> <br />Kirsten Sandberg, chairwoman of the 18-strong U.N. committee said, "the best way to prevent abuses is to reveal old ones - openness instead of sweeping offenses under the carpet."<br /> <br />The head of the Vatican delegation, Silvano Tomasi:<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF VATICAN DELEGATION SILVANO M TOMASI SAYING:<br /> <br />"Egregious crimes of abuse committed against children have rightly been adjudicated and punished by the competent civil authorities in their respective countries."<br /> <br />Victims have accused the Church of covering up such abuses.
