Speaking in conversation with the apostolic nuncio, the representative of the pope in Belgium, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Flemish liberal/Open VLD), again urged the Vatican to take away Roger Vangheluwe's bishop’s title. "This is important for the victims," the prime minister tweeted after the conversation.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo again calls on Vatican to strip Roger Vangheluwe of his bishop's title
Colin Clapson
Published:
Who is Roger Vangheluwe?
Roger Vangheluwe resigned from his post as Bishop of Bruges in 2010 after confessing to abusing his cousin, then a minor, for many years. He currently resides in France. In late September, during a visit, Bishop of Antwerp Johan Bonny asked him to give up his titles, Vangheluwe sent a letter to the pope. The content of that letter is not known.
Prime Minister De Croo had already spoken with Franco Coppola, the Pope's diplomatic representative in Belgium, in early October. He then raised the subject of historic sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church and the outcry following the airing of the VRT documentary "Godvergeten” (Godforsaken). He called on the Church to assume its moral responsibility. In doing so, he supported Bishop Johan Bonny's demand to take away Roger Vangheluwe's bishop title.
The prime minister repeated his appeal to the Vatican authorities on Monday. Mr De Croo was discussing Pope Francis's visit to Belgium with the nuncio. Last December it emerged that the pope will visit Belgium, almost 30 years after the last papal visit. A precise date for the visit is not yet known. The content of the programme is also unclear.