Pope Francis, on Friday, expressed the urgent need for the Catholic Church to “seek forgiveness” over the “scourge” of child sexual abuse during his visit to Belgium, where the Church’s troubled history looms heavily.
Addressing an audience of political and civil society leaders at Laeken Palace, he condemned the “tragic instances of child abuse” that have become a stain on the Church’s legacy. “It is our shame and our humiliation,” he stated, underlining the deep sense of responsibility felt by the Church.
The 87-year-old pontiff’s visit comes amid a backdrop of scandals that have plagued the Church for decades.
Later that afternoon, he is scheduled to meet with a group of approximately 15 victims of clerical sexual assault in Brussels.
This meeting, taking place at the Vatican’s diplomatic mission, was arranged discreetly following the release of a powerful documentary that reignited discussions about Belgium’s abuse scandal and encouraged more victims to come forward.
In a poignant open letter published in Le Soir, some victims urged the pope to tackle the issue of paedophilia directly and to establish a process for financial reparations. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo emphasized the need for action beyond words, stating, “Concrete measures must also be taken.”
Pope Francis reiterated his commitment to addressing the abuse crisis, describing it as “a scourge that the Church is addressing firmly and decisively.” He emphasized the importance of listening to and supporting those who have suffered, as well as implementing prevention programs worldwide.
Additionally, he expressed his sadness regarding a separate scandal involving forced adoptions in Belgium, where institutions run by nuns took babies from thousands of underage girls and unmarried women.
“We see how the bitter fruit of wrongdoing and criminality was mixed in with what was unfortunately the prevailing view in all parts of society at that time,” he remarked.
Reports suggested that as many as 30,000 children were taken from their mothers in Belgium from 1945 to the 1980s.
In 2023, Belgian bishops issued an apology and called for an independent investigation after new testimonies emerged from women who claimed they had been “sold” by the Catholic Church to adoptive families.
De Croo noted that child sexual abuse and forced adoptions have “badly damaged trust” between the Church and society.
A notable incident during the visit highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the Church.
The program for an open-air mass concluding Francis’s trip had to be altered at the last minute when it was discovered that the closing hymn was composed by a priest accused of sexual abuse.
This oversight prompted Archbishop Luc Terlinden, head of the Belgian bishops’ conference, to acknowledge the need for better oversight of cases and perpetrators.
“This represents a great challenge for us, but we must think about it seriously with the help of lawyers and psychologists,” he commented.
The Argentine arrived in Belgium on the evening of September 26, after a day in Luxembourg, where he called for enhanced international diplomacy in response to global conflicts.
Welcomed by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, he is scheduled to meet with academics at the Catholic University of Leuven, which is celebrating its 600th anniversary next year—a key reason for his visit.
During his 46th trip abroad, the pope will also engage with clergy at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and discuss climate issues with students in Louvain-la-Neuve.
The last papal visit to Brussels was in 1995 when Pope John Paul II attended the beatification of Saint Damien, who devoted his life to caring for lepers.
Despite nearly 65 percent of Belgium’s population identifying as Christian, including 58 percent as Catholic, these numbers reflect a significant decline in religious adherence across Europe.
In his weekly general audience, Francis expressed hope that his visit could serve as “the opportunity for a new impetus of faith” in a region grappling with its spiritual identity.
