Belgian bishop will not face criminal charges for abuse

April 05, 2011

A Belgian bishop acknowledged that he had molested a young boy will not face charges, because the abuse, committed in the 1980s, is covered by that country's statute of limitations.

Bishop Roger Vangheluwe resigned his post as Bishop of Brugge in April 2010, as reports surfaced that he had abused his nephew repeatedly over a period of years. Later in 2010, it was revealed that Cardinal Godfried Danneels of Brussels had urged the victim to remain silent until Bishop Vangheluwe had retired quietly. Cardinal Danneels also stepped down in 2010, although in his case the resignation was overdue because he was 76 years old: more than a year beyond the normative retirement age.

 

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Further information:

• Belgian bishop cannot be charged (UCAN)
• Belgian cardinal told victim to be silent until bishop who abused him retired (CWN 8/30/10)