Caritas 'outraged' by the child abuse scandal discovered by CNN

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
• Click here to share on LinkedIn (Opens in a new window)
• Click to email a friend (Opens in a new window)

Father Luk Delft is accused of abusing at least two other children in the Central African Republic while working at a key position in Caritas.

(CNN) - Caritas Internationalis, a network of Catholic charities, urged its regional branches on Thursday to examine its staff and volunteers. It occurs after CNN published an investigation into Father Luk Delft, a convicted abuser, who was transferred to the Central African Republic for his religious order to work in a key role in the charity.

“We express our compassion and solidarity with children and their families. We thank those who have taken a step forward. They have our full support to tell their truth, ”said Aloysius John, general secretary of Caritas Internationalis, in a statement posted on his website.

Delft, who had been convicted in Europe before going to work for the charity, has been accused of abusing at least two children in the Central African Republic.

READ : The map of allegations of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church in the world

The 50-year-old priest was only removed from office after CNN revealed the new accusations against him to his superiors in the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious order specifically established to protect children.

"Caritas Internationalis understands that those responsible have ensured that the defendant is no longer in the Central African Republic, and both civil and religious authorities have been notified and investigate the allegations," said the charity.

He said he was helping the local Caritas organization in the Central African Republic while investigating the allegations.

EXCLUSIVE : How a Catholic religious order dedicated to protecting children failed them

“We thank those who have taken a step forward. They have all our support to tell their truth. At Caritas, we constantly work to improve our protection of children, both in the Central African Republic and in the rest of the world where Caritas works to help people in need. Our first duty is to protect those we serve, ”added the secretary general.