Belgium's Prime Minister and King Philippe delivered strong messages to Pope Francis during his visit to the country, demanding accountability for the Catholic Church's history of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo emphasized the need for 'concrete steps' to address the past and prioritize the interests of victims over those of the institution.
The abuse scandal in Belgium has spanned over two decades, with revelations of abuse and systematic cover-ups severely damaging the credibility of the Catholic Church in the country. The resignation of Bruges Bishop Roger Vangheluwe in 2010, after admitting to sexually abusing his nephew for 13 years, was a significant turning point.
Despite efforts to address the scandal, including the defrocking of Vangheluwe earlier this year, the issue remains a raw and painful topic in Belgium. The recent airing of a documentary highlighting victims' stories has reignited public outrage and led to official investigations by parliamentary committees.
In addition to addressing the clerical sex abuse scandal, Belgium is also grappling with revelations of 'forced adoptions' orchestrated by the church in the post-World War II era. Many single mothers were coerced into giving up their newborns for adoption, with records of these adoptions now difficult to trace.
Pope Francis acknowledged the church's responsibility in these matters, expressing shame and a commitment to addressing the issues with humility and compassion. Victims have called for more substantial reparations programs to compensate for the trauma they endured.
The visit of Pope Francis to Belgium has brought to the forefront the deep wounds caused by clerical sex abuse and forced adoptions, prompting calls for accountability, transparency, and justice from both the government and the public.
