The Attack on the Pope: Victims Have a Right to the Truth

Belgium's Prime Minister directs sharp criticism towards Pope Francis for the Catholic Church's history of sexual abuse committed by priests – and the cover-up of the events. It is our shame and our humiliation, says the Pope during his visit to Belgium.

» Published:

The Attack on the Pope: Victims Have a Right to the Truth
Photo: Andrew Medichini/AP/TT

Share this article

Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander de Croo demands "concrete actions" to settle with the past and put the interests of abuse victims before those of the church.

The speech is one of the sharpest directed at the Pope during his foreign travels so far. Even Belgium's King Philippe demands at the meeting at Laeken Castle that the church "unceasingly" work to atone for its crimes and help victims heal.

In Belgium, revelations about abuse and systematic cover-ups have been uncovered over two decades, which has put the trust in the Catholic Church to the test.

Today, words alone are not enough. We also need concrete actions, says De Croo.

Victims must be heard. They need to be at the center. They have a right to the truth. Misdeeds must be acknowledged, he says on Friday in front of royalty, church officials, diplomats, and politicians.

When something goes wrong, we cannot accept cover-ups. To be able to look to the future, the church must acknowledge its past.

In his own speech at the meeting, the Pope says the church must "seek forgiveness".

This is our shame and our humiliation, he says in his speech.

The church must be ashamed and must seek forgiveness.

The Pope is expected to meet with abuse victims later on Friday.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Taliban Bans Books by Women at Afghan Universities

Taliban Bans Books by Women at Afghan Universities

Wave of Resignations in the USA After Charlie Kirk Murder

Wave of Resignations in the USA After Charlie Kirk Murder

Bolivia Enacts Law Banning Child Marriage

Bolivia Enacts Law Banning Child Marriage

Hamas Declares No More Hostage Releases Amid Gaza Conflict

Hamas Declares No More Hostage Releases Amid Gaza Conflict

Seven Arrested in Connection with Melbourne Teen Murders

Seven Arrested in Connection with Melbourne Teen Murders

Macron: Recognizing Palestine Key to Isolating Hamas

Macron: Recognizing Palestine Key to Isolating Hamas

Israel Labels Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla a Jihad Initiative

Israel Labels Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla a Jihad Initiative

Berlin Evacuates Thousands After WWII Bomb Found in Spree River

Berlin Evacuates Thousands After WWII Bomb Found in Spree River

Trump Switches Helicopter Due to Minor Hydraulic Fault

Trump Switches Helicopter Due to Minor Hydraulic Fault

US Vetoes UN Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire

US Vetoes UN Resolution on Gaza Ceasefire

Israeli Soldiers Face PTSD and Suicides After Gaza Conflict

Israeli Soldiers Face PTSD and Suicides After Gaza Conflict

Two Israeli Soldiers Shot Dead at Jordan-West Bank Border

Two Israeli Soldiers Shot Dead at Jordan-West Bank Border

Norwegian Diplomat Geir Pedersen Resigns as UN Envoy to Syria

Norwegian Diplomat Geir Pedersen Resigns as UN Envoy to Syria

UN Security Council to Vote on Iran Nuclear Sanctions

UN Security Council to Vote on Iran Nuclear Sanctions

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Five Southern Lebanon Cities

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Five Southern Lebanon Cities

High Mortality in Congo-Kinshasa Ebola Outbreak: WHO Reports 31 Deaths

High Mortality in Congo-Kinshasa Ebola Outbreak: WHO Reports 31 Deaths

Trump Says Putin Betrayed Him Over Ukraine War

Trump Says Putin Betrayed Him Over Ukraine War

Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Russian Refineries, Impacting Operations

Ukrainian Drones Strike Major Russian Refineries, Impacting Operations

Russia Returns 1,000 Bodies of Ukrainian Soldiers

Russia Returns 1,000 Bodies of Ukrainian Soldiers

Three Arrested in UK for Suspected Russian Espionage

Three Arrested in UK for Suspected Russian Espionage