Pontifical Commission report outlines challenges for church in Belgium

Revelations about sexual abuse within the Catholic Church alongside the mismanagement and passivity of Church leaders, have significantly strained the Church's relationship with broader society, a report shows.

The consequences are particularly evident in youth ministry, according to a report by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Church. The report, which was released on Tuesday, contained a section focusing on Belgium.

The report highlights a profound breach of trust between the Church and young people. Additionally, it identifies the lack of adequate oversight for Belgian priests serving abroad as a pressing issue. Within Belgium, integrating foreign priests into the Church's existing child protection policies is also challenging due to cultural differences.

Communication within the Belgian Catholic Church about its protective measures is another critical concern raised by the report. The Church’s reliance on complex documents and reports has created an information barrier, which, according to the report’s authors, fuels further mistrust. The report says: “The abundance of difficult-to-understand documents and reports contributes to a lack of transparency.”

To address these challenges, the report proposes nine recommendations aimed at tackling structural shortcomings. Key among these is a comprehensive evaluation of protection protocols for Belgian missionaries abroad and improving the integration process for foreign priests.

Additionally, it recommends revising national guidelines for child protection and updating policies for victim support. To foster greater transparency and trust, the report advises the Church to seek input from victim advocacy groups as part of its efforts to develop a more effective communication strategy.

#FlandersNewsService | A priest at Pope Francis' mass at King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels 29 September 2024 © PHOTO NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP


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