Belgium's Prime Minister and King Philippe delivered strong messages to Pope Francis during his visit to the country, demanding accountability for the Catholic Church's history of clerical sex abuse and cover-ups. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo emphasized the need for 'concrete steps' to address the past and prioritize the interests of victims over those of the institution.
The abuse scandal in Belgium has spanned over two decades, with revelations of abuse and systematic cover-ups severely damaging the credibility of the Catholic Church in the country. The resignation of Bruges Bishop Roger Vangheluwe in 2010, after admitting to sexually abusing his nephew for 13 years, was a significant turning point.
