Belgium’s PM and king criticize Pope Francis, demanding accountability for clerical abuse and reparations for victims.
Belgium’s Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, criticized Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s history of covering up sexual abuse by priests, calling for action to address these past wrongs and support victims.
King Philippe supported this, urging the church to make amends and help those affected.
The Pope, who was warmly received, acknowledged the criticism and said the church must do more than just talk.
De Croo emphasized the importance of listening to victims, seeking the truth, and not tolerating cover-ups.
The Belgian abuse scandal, which has spanned decades, has exposed widespread abuse and institutional silence, leading to the resignation of a bishop and the recent formal defrocking of another.
Investigations have uncovered the suffering of hundreds of victims, including children, and the church’s role in their abuse.
The scandal has reignited calls for accountability, with De Croo and Philippe making their strongest statements in Dutch, highlighting the urgent need for justice in the affected region.
Belgian PM and king blast Pope Francis for church's sex abuse cover-up legacy in blistering welcome https://t.co/qxJbVXNGRG
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 27, 2024
De Croo’s speech broke Vatican rules by directly criticizing the church, similar to how monarchs are usually criticized.
This showed the frustration of many Belgians with the church’s history of failures.
Francis promised to deal with abuse and support victims, but De Croo and King Philippe demanded quick and clear action.
People who have been hurt by the church want it to do more to help them, especially with their emotional and mental health.
They want to send a letter to the Pope with their demands for real change.
The conversation also included the issue of the church’s involvement in “forced adoptions,” similar to what was found in Ireland.
Stories of single mothers being forced to give up their babies show a dark time in Belgium’s history when the focus was on society’s standards over individual rights.
Francis was sorry for what happened and wanted to understand why these things happened.
Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt called these actions “horror actions” and said up to 30,000 people might have been affected, showing the importance of facing the church’s past mistakes.