Pope Francis Removes Former Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, who Admitted to Abuse, from the Priesthood in Belgium

 On March 20, 2024, Roger Vangheluwe, age 87, was removed from the priestly ministry and laicized; he is thus, no longer bishop nor a priest. Pope Francis made this decision after a new examination of the file. A decision which was widely hoped for in Belgium. He had admitted to abuse many years ago. Vangheluwe was Bishop of Bruges from 1985 to 2010 when he resigned after admitting to abusing while he was a priest and a bishop over 15 years ago.

A press release from the nunciature, published on March 21, mentions that in recent months, new serious elements concerning the case of the former bishop of Bruges have been reported to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Among them, the recent testimony of a victim. These elements led to a re-examination of the case. On March 3, the Dicastery transmitted the file to Pope Francis and proposed to laicize Roger Vanghelhuwe. This secularization had been requested several times in recent years by the bishops of Belgium who considered the maintenance of this quality of bishop and priest to be a shame. The last request to this effect dated October 2023.

The pope's decision was notified to Roger Vangheluwe on March 20. The latter took note of the decision. He also asked to be able to reside in a place of retirement, “without any further contact with the outside world, in order to dedicate himself to prayer and penance”.

Reacting to Rome's decision, the bishops of Belgium reiterated their great respect for the victims, saluting the courage and strength to accuse their attacker. They add that their example “has inspired many fellow sufferers to no longer leave their attacker unharmed.” The bishops hope that this secularization can help victims to rebuild themselves following these abuses which so deeply mark them and their loved ones for life.

Pressure on all levels

In recent months, pressure has intensified to demand this secularization. And it didn’t just come from the bishops of Belgium. In January, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo explicitly took a position in this direction. This Tuesday, March 19, again, banners were displayed by members of an association for the protection of children in front of the abbey of Solesmes, in France, where the prelate resides. Roger Vangheluwe moved there after resigning as bishop of Bruges in 2010. He admitted to having abused his minor nephew for years.

“We knew it was being studied but we didn’t know that the news was going to break,” reacts Tommy Scholtes, French-speaking spokesperson for the bishops of Belgium, whom we have just contacted by telephone. "Clearly, this is the decision that the bishops wanted. Why was it not taken in 2010? Perhaps because we were not, at the time, aware of the extent to which the facts were serious and could have serious consequences for the victims. I am in any case happy that we finally reached this decision. I think it would have been difficult to organize the Pope's visit to Belgium otherwise... In addition , I find it reassuring that Roger Vangheluwe himself indicates that he no longer wants contact with the outside world."

FULL TEXT Statement from the Bishops of Belgium

Pope Francis has laicized the former bishop of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe. This is what the apostolic nuncio for our country has just announced to us on March 21.

The bishops of Belgium had requested this several times in recent years. The bishops of our country have always considered, along with the victims of abuse and many other people in our society, that it was shameful that Roger Vangheluwe was able to officially remain a bishop and priest, despite very restrictive measures put in place since then. his forced resignation.

The bishops requested secularization again in October 2023. They urged Vangheluwe to request it himself and reintroduced his canonical file to Vatican authorities. This file includes the statement of a victim who recently formally testified against Vangheluwe.

Pope Francis therefore returned the former bishop of Bruges to the lay state.

Great respect

The bishops express their great respect towards the victims. They found the courage and strength to denounce their attacker. Their example has inspired many other victims who, in turn, will no longer let their attacker go unpunished. The bishops hope that this secularization can help victims recover from this abuse which so deeply marks them and their loved ones for life.

The secularization of Roger Vangheluwe means that he can now, in principle, go wherever he wants. However, it was agreed with the abbey where he currently resides that he can continue to stay there in isolation. The bishops insisted that he actually do it.

The bishops of Belgium

Brussels, March 21, 2024.

https://www.cathobel.be/2024/03/roger-vangheluwe-reconduit-a-letat-laic/

https://www.cathobel.be/2024/03/roger-vangheluwe-renvoye-de-letat-clerical-par-le-pape-francois/

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