PROSTITUTION DENOUNCED

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31086, 15 June 1966, Page 2

PROSTITUTION DENOUNCED

The culpable inaction of public authorities was one of the reasons why prostitution was so difficult to uproot, Pope Paul told the twenty-third congress of International Abolitionist Federation in Rome.

Pope Paul said prostitution was a social abuse, the evils of which could never be adequately denounced.

“This is one of the saddest failings of our modern society. One would like to think that the present awareness of the rights of the individual—the proud boast of today’s men would have brought about its gradual disappearance,” said the Pope. Delegates knew better than anyone else just how difficult it was to uproot prostitution and how easily it could spring up again in .more or less secret forms by precise interpretations of the law.

Pope Paul said the federation should continue and intensify its efforts to abolish prostitution, especially by education and information services. "We have never been more •ware of the rights and dignity of the individual than we are today. When have we protested more vehemently ■gainst oppression, taken up the defence of the weak, and condemned the exploitation of man by man?”he asked.

“But in what area is this exploitation more evident and more revolting than in this low trade, which can quite justifiably be considered the most degrading form of slavery—the shame of society.”

Pope Paul said he would like to see more rehabilitation centres for prostitutes similar to those already established in Italy and France.