Internet fuels growth of 'sex tourism,' Vatican official warns

Published: 2004-01-29

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Internet is expanding tourist choices around the world, but it also is favoring the growth of the "sex tourism" market, a Vatican representative warned. Msgr. Piero Monni said purveyors of pedophilia and prostitution in foreign countries often are able to hide behind the anonymity of the Internet. He said the ability to conduct this kind of exploitation should not be considered part of the freedom of electronic communication. Msgr. Monni made his remarks Jan. 29 at the First World Conference on Tourism Communications in Madrid, sponsored by the World Tourism Organization. A copy of his remarks was released at the Vatican. He said the online tourism market has grown enormously in recent years, offering valuable information to prospective tourists and widening the possibilities of travel. But he said it was important to recognize that the "disgraceful pedophile market" and sexual tourism have been promoted online.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .