belgium

Vangheluwe finally dismissed for his past crimes Pope Francis took the decision Thursday to dismiss from office a Belgian bishop famous for admitting 14 years ago to having sexually abused his nephew without suffering sanction from the Vatican. Roger Vangheluwe, bishop emeritus of Bruges, has long symbolized the hypocrisy and dysfunctions of the Catholic Church in the management of abuse cases. Despite the revelations in 2010, he was able to retire peacefully and his superior, Cardinal Godfried Danneels, advised one of his victims to remain silent until the bishop left. This decision by the Vatican comes a few months before the pope's planned visit to Belgium, where the affair could have...