Belgian bishop laicized 14 years after admitting abuse
Pope Francis laicizes Bishop Roger Vangheluwe for child abuse.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read
Pope Francis has laicized Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, nearly 14 years after the Belgian bishop admitted to abusing a nephew. The Vatican reopened the case after new evidence emerged, and Pope Francis granted the request for Vangheluwe’s dismissal from the clerical state. The decision came after years of pressure from Belgian officials and the Church, underlining the severity of the abuse scandal that has plagued the Belgian Church. Vangheluwe, who admitted to abusing a second nephew, will now be secluded in a retreat for prayer and penance.