The former Belgian bishop, Roger Vangheluwe, who confessed to sexually abusing two nephews over a decade ago, has been expelled from the priesthood by the pope, as announced by the Belgian church on Thursday.
Vangheluwe, 87, resigned as Bishop of Bruges in 2010 after admitting to the abuse of one nephew for 13 years, and later confessed to abusing a second nephew.
Although Belgian prosecutors deemed the abuse too old for charges, the justice minister urged the Vatican to take decisive action.
The Belgian government welcomed the pope’s decision, emphasizing its importance for the victims’ pursuit of justice.
The Belgian Church expressed its long-standing request for Vangheluwe’s expulsion, deeming it shameful that he retained his clerical status until now, albeit with severe restrictions.
Vangheluwe will continue to reside in isolation at the abbey where he currently resides.
This action reflects ongoing efforts within the Roman Catholic Church to address clergy sexual abuse scandals under Pope Francis’s leadership, although critics argue that more should have been done to prevent such abuses and support victims.
