Pope Francis Criticized Over Clergy Abuse Scandal

During Pope Francis's visit to Belgium, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and King Philippe delivered pointed remarks regarding the Catholic Church's handling of clerical sexual abuse, underscoring the ongoing trauma and demand for accountability. De Croo emphasized that mere words are insufficient and urged for concrete actions to support victims and restore trust in the church. King Philippe highlighted the long-standing suffering of victims, including those affected by the forced adoption scandal, which involved thousands of children taken from their mothers. Francis acknowledged the pain caused by these abuses and expressed his sorrow over the forced adoptions, while also committing to meet with survivors of clergy abuse, although many criticized the brevity of the meeting as inadequate. The atmosphere surrounding the papal visit was tense, reflecting a society grappling with its painful past. This visit marks a significant moment in addressing the church's historical failures in Belgium, particularly in light of the recent airing of a documentary featuring victims.