The abusive bishop who dirtyes and complicates the primary go to of a Pope to Belgium in 30 years | EUROtoday

In Tremelo, a municipality in Flemish Brabant, has been dreaming of a go to from the Pope for 30 years. It is a small place, with lower than 15,000 inhabitants and with none monuments, however Father Damien was born there, a martyr of charity who cared for lepers in Hawaii till dying of an infection in 1989, and who was canonized in 2009. In 1994, John Paul II He had deliberate a cease throughout his official go to to Belgium, however broke his femur. And once I got here in 1995 I not went by Brussels, leaving an enormous disappointment that they haven’t but overcome. Therefore, when the mayor discovered that Bergoglio was planning to return once more, they started to mobilize in order that, now, Tremelo is likely one of the milestones.

The journey is being an enormous topical problem in Blgica, however for very disagreeable causes. Francisco was invited by the kings throughout an viewers within the Vatican, and by the rectors, since one of many hangers would be the 600th anniversary of the Catholic University of Leuven. But the various ties that the Argentine Jesuit has solid over time with Flemish and Walloon colleagues additionally assist. It is a rustic that he loves.

The drawback, after all, is the sexual abuse of tons of of kids. In September, a documentary titled Godforsaken (Godforsaken) stirred the waters they usually haven’t calmed down once more. The sequence, which recounts each abuses and big cover-ups over many years, sparked a parliamentary inquiry and raids. He additionally multiplied requests for the Belgian federal authorities to cease paying the salaries of the ministers of faithwhich embrace not solely clergymen and deacons but additionally lay individuals appointed by bishops.

But, above all, the sequence has revived one of the crucial painful and inexplicable circumstances, that of Bishop Roger Vangheluwe of Bruges, who was eliminated in 2010 after admitting to sexually abusing his nephew. From a number of nephews. Authorities have repeatedly referred to as on Rome to strip Vangheluwe of his title. and the correct to rejoice mass, however it has not occurred. The Prime Minister himself, Alexander de Croo, he reiterated it just some days in the past after assembly with the apostolic nuncio. “Once again I have urged the Vatican to withdraw the title of Bishop Roger Vangheluwe. It is very important for the victims,” ​​he warned. And nothing.

Hay in Rome a wall of silence and complicity. When Francis appeared for the primary time in St. Peter's Square upon being elected, he was accompanied by the Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels, who was very near him. There is an audio during which Danneels, now deceased, pressured the abused younger man many times to not accuse his uncle. In a latest look in Parliament, the secretary of the Episcopal Conference, who has additionally referred to as for harder measures to be taken, was clear: “It will be difficult for Pope Francis to have a peaceful visit to our country if there is no clarity on this matter.” “, he noted, demanding that there also be time dedicated to meeting with the victims of abuse.

The prelate, who is 87 years old, has been isolated for three decades and living in a French community. He has received various pressures to resign, making it easier to end the crisis and heal wounds. But it's too late. Asking for forgiveness is of little use if everything remains in words.