Anonymous claims to bring down Vatican website

Mar 08, 2012 |

Vatican City

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Members of the amorphous hacking group Anonymous say they have taken down the Vatican website to protest everything from Catholic doctrine to the sexual abuse of children.

The site, www.vatican.va, was inaccessible on Wednesday afternoon. The Vatican spokesperson didn't immediately return emails or phone calls seeking comment.

In what claims to be the 'official' site of Anonymous in Italy, a statement today said the group was attacking the Vatican to protest the execution of heretics and the burning of books during the Inquisition and more recently the sexual abuse of children by priests.

Statements purportedly authored by members of Anonymous are almost impossible to verify, given the leaderless nature of the group.

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