Belgium: Vangheluwe dismissed from clerical state for abuse

By Salvatore Cernuzio

The decades-long case against Belgian bishop Roger Vangheluwe, 87, convicted of sexual abuse of minors, ended with his dismissal from the clerical state.

According to a press release from the Apostolic Nunciature in Brussels, Pope Francis pronounced the sentence on Thursday March 21 against the former bishop of Bruges, who resigned from his functions as head of the diocese in April 2010 after being accused of historical abuses.

Vangheluwe notably admitted to having abused one of his nephews. The crimes he was accused of, however, were barred by the statute of limitations.

New elements in the case

The press release from the Nunciature of Brussels indicates that in recent months, “new serious elements” concerning this matter have appeared and have been “reported to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, making a re-examination of the file necessary”.

Following a new investigation, the Dicastery decided to hear the former bishop's defense; after examining it, on March 8, 2024, the Doctrine of the Faith “presented the documentation to the Holy Father, proposing the dismissal from the clerical state, in accordance with article 26 of the norms of Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela”— the motu proprio issued by John Paul II in 2001, then updated by Benedict XVI (in 2010) and Pope Francis (in 2021), which concerns the “most serious crimes” reserved for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith of that time.

The Pope's decision

During the audience granted to Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, on March 11, the Nunciature's statement continued: “Pope Francis accepted the request, ordering that the proposed punishment be imposed “.

On Wednesday March 20, the measure was then “brought to the attention of the person concerned who, taking note of the decision, requested to be able to reside in a place of retirement, without further contact with the outside world, in order to devote themselves to himself in prayer and penance.

The same press release specifies that Pope Francis “reiterates his closeness to the victims of abuse and his commitment to ensuring that this scourge is eradicated from the Church.”