Thecro Belgian Prime Minister Criticized for Catholic Sexual Abuse, Pope Francis to Meet Sexual Abuse Victims, Estimated 30,000 Forced Adoptees in Belgium
Pope Francis participated in the papal visit event held on the 27th at the Royal Palace of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium. [Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated on the 27th (local time) at the papal visit event held at the Royal Castle of Laeken in Brussels, Belgium, in front of Pope Francis, "The Catholic Church's trust has been severely damaged due to numerous cases of sexual abuse and forced adoptions."
Prime Minister De Croo criticized, "You (the Holy See) promised a just approach, but there is still a long way to go," adding, "Words alone are insufficient. Concrete measures are necessary." He further emphasized, "This is not only a moral obligation but also an essential step to restore trust in the Catholic Church."
Such remarks by Prime Minister De Croo are an unusual criticism in diplomatic practice. It is customary not to express dissatisfaction or anger toward the host in public.
King Philippe of Belgium acknowledged that the Pope has taken steps to address issues such as sexual abuse but urged, "Efforts to heal irreparable wounds must continue relentlessly."
The Pope responded that the Church is taking a "firm and resolute response," including implementing prevention programs, listening to victims' voices, and supporting healing. He stated, "The Church must be ashamed and ask for forgiveness, and do everything possible to resolve this issue and prevent recurrence."
The Pope visited Belgium to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic University of Louvain, the oldest Catholic university in the world, after visiting Luxembourg the previous day.
During this visit, the Pope will privately meet with 15 victims of sexual abuse by clergy. The victims are expected to personally deliver letters to the Pope containing their demands, including compensation programs for trauma treatment.
According to the Associated Press, Prime Minister De Croo's criticism reflects the current state of the Belgian Catholic Church, whose influence has diminished amid revelations of sexual abuse, forced adoptions, and allegations of systematic cover-ups spanning multiple generations.
In Belgium, in 2010, Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, then the longest-serving bishop, was exposed for sexually abusing his minor nephew for 13 years. In 2011, he admitted to abusing another nephew and resigned. He was not prosecuted due to the statute of limitations. Pope Francis defrocked former Bishop Vangheluwe in March after his ascension in 2013.
According to church reports, over 700 complaints and abuse reports have been filed in Belgium since 2012 regarding the Catholic Church.
It is estimated that 30,000 children were subject to forced adoptions. The Belgian Church arranged adoptions of infants born to unmarried mothers from 1945 through the 1980s. Under the pretext of preventing the stigma of being "illegitimate," unmarried mothers were pressured to give up their children.
The Pope will return home after concluding an outdoor mass on the 29th.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that a composer of a hymn to be used in the outdoor mass was a priest previously accused of sexual abuse. Consequently, the hymn was replaced at the last minute. This priest passed away this month and reached a settlement with sexual abuse victims in 2022.
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