Victims demand trial in Rome of cardinal, archbishop and bishops

Victims of abuse in the Church have asked the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith to bring Cardinal Danneels and Archbishop Léonard among others before the special new tribunal which should examine negligent priests.


Pope Francis announced in early June the establishment of a tribunal, under the auspices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The tribunal should interview bishops who would have been remiss in addressing cases of pedophile priests.


An investigation shows that in Belgium several victims wrote to Rome asking for Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard, Cardinal Godfried Danneels, former Bishop of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe and the Bishop of Hasselt, Patrick Hoogmartens to be tried. They wrote a personal letter on this matter to Cardinal Müller, who is the head of the Congregation.


Léonard is internationally one of the few bishops who have been held liable in a case of sexual abuse. But that certainly does not mean that he certainly will have to appear before the tribunal in Rome, said canon lawyers, Rik Torfs and Kurt Martens.


The Vatican spokesman would not confirm whether the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has already received files on the Belgian bishops.

Source

Liturgical decadence in the Brussels of Cardinal Daneels

Belgian King signs law extending euthanasia to children

The head of state has completely fulfilled his constitutional role despite various pressures.
King Philippe signed the law this Sunday on the extension of euthanasia to minors. This was the last thing expected in the tracking process of the law since its adoption by the House, two weeks having elapsed after having been in the Senate. An extension of euthanasia wished for and passed by majorities consisting mainly of PS, MR, Ecolo-Groen and N-VA elected but certainly not unanimously within them as other members from these parties abstained or voted against in the name of freedom of conscience. As to whether the signature was under the law fifteen days after its approval by the Head of State, it appears that this is a time quite normal although in this matter, there are no specific laws.

The head of state has completely fulfilled its constitutional role despite various pressures not least of which was a petition, CitizenGO, a Spanish Catholic foundation attached to traditional values ​​and fundamental family life. The latter was itself distributed on the initiative of a couple of Austrian Catholics, Gudrun and Martin Kluger, the parents of a large family, very involved in various Catholic associations.

Their petition has collected more than 200,000 signatures mainly from abroad where they obviously do not know all the ins and outs of the royal sanction and promulgation of a law in Belgium. Something which obviously was also forgotten that if the name of his conscience, King Baudouin did not sign the law on decriminalization of abortion, he at the same time asked the government of the day to do everything possible to work for it to be sanctioned and promulgated.

Source

Cathcon- no surprise in the land whose chief prelate for decades was Cardinal Danneels. 

Franciscan Church becomes 4 star luxury hotel in Belgium- pictures

Martin's Paterhof Hotel in Malines, Mechelen.  Another  wonderful result of the long reign of Cardinal Danneels as primate of Belgium.

Police raid on Cardinal was illegal

Operation Chalice: The documents seized from Archbishop Danneels should be excluded from the dossier

The Supreme Court has spoken definitively on Tuesday about the documents seized in June 2010 by the Brussels magistrate Wim De Troy from the Archbishop's Palace of Mechelen and from offices and the private residence of Cardinal Danneels. The highest court in the land ruled that the Brussels Court of Indictments in Brussels had reason to exclude these documents from the file because the searches were not legal.

The searches were carried out on 24 June 2010, as part of Operation Chalice, the judicial investigation by Brussels judge de Troy about sexual abuse within the Church and suspected maneuvers to suppress the facts on the part of the hierarchy.

Source

Cardinal defends homosexual marriage legislation

Cardinal Godfried Danneels defends legislation for same-sex marriage in an interview with this newspaper, though he feels that there is another term that should be found for relationships between people of the same sex. Archbishop Leonard sides with him. 'Do not call it gay marriage, but a gay relationship. "

D e Tijdspoke with Godfried Danneels following his eightieth birthday.
There have been months of massive demonstrations against gay marriage, which has been accepted by parliament. In France on Wednesday, there was the first legally blessed marriage , heavily protected from protesters. When asked what he thinks of the attitude of his church in this discussion Danneels says, "You know what the Church says about these problems, I do not want to go against it. But I think it's a positive development that states open up free civil marriage for homosexuals if they want. "

Can you not as a human being identify with this orientation?
Cardinal Godfried Danneels,

The reasoning goes like this: "Can you not as a human being identify with this orientation? I think there is a clear evolution in the thinking of the church. Also towards people who commit suicide, for example. Previously, that condemned you to be not being buried in a cemetery - of course you cannot do such things! It is much more nuanced thinking about the person in their totality rather than being fixated on the moral principle. '

Politically sensitive
Same-sex marriage is currently politically sensitive in several European countries.The British Parliament is considering the opening up of civil marriage to persons of the same sex. In Paris, hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets against gay marriage. Recently historian Dominique Venner put a bullet through his head at the high altar of Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage. Nineteen countries, including Belgium, have already opened civil marriage , dozens of other countries will follow in the coming years.

On what is legal, what one can do legitimately and legally, the Church has nothing to say.
CardinalGodfried Danneels,

Danneels has a reputation of being in the vanguard of the troops. As in 2004, when he set the Vatican in turmoil by declaring that someone who is HIV positive would be better to use a condom during sex. About gay marriage, he is clear, albeit cautiously: "It is positive if states want to regulate the relationships between people of the same sex but for the Church it is not real marriage as between man and woman. So you have a different name cited in the dictionary sites. But on what is legal, what one can do legitimately and legally, the Church has nothing to say.. "

Obligation
The statements fit in with a change in the Vatican.
Paul Van Geest,
Professor of Church History, University of Tilburg

“What Cardinal Danneels says is remarkable. Here he creates a noteworthy opening, because the institution of the Church is opposed to a civil marriage, that regulates and legitimises sexual relationships between people of the same sex' "says Rik Torfs, professor of canon law and rector-elect of the university. Paul Van Geest, professor of church history and his colleague at the University of Tilburg, gives perspective."There is the story put out by the New York Times that the current Pope, Jorge Bergoglio, as archbishop of Buenos Aires behind the scenes campaigned for legal rights for gay couples and civil union, a fight he lost in the Argentine Episcopal Conference. (See Cathcon- witness inside the Episcopal Conference) ;The statements fit in with a change in the Vatican. "

Also Archbishop Andre Leonard sides with Danneels, "The position of Danneels is that of the Archbishop ', says Jeroen Moens, a spokesman for the archdiocese."Monsignor Leonard has no problem with a legal commitment between gay men. But he would not call it marriage. Let us say that Monsignor Leonard endorses a gay commitment. Marriage happens before the Church in the complementarity of man and woman. Such complementarity is impossible between two people of the same sex. "

Let us say that Monsignor Leonard endorses a gay commitment.
Jeroen Moens,
Archdiocese spokesman

Danneels, in other words, is not the only ecclesiastical dignitary who recently reached out to gay couples. Archbishop Piero Marini, the Papal Master of Ceremonies promoted by Pope Benedict (Cathcon- well, not exactly) recently remarked that "it is time to recognize that many couples suffer because their civil rights are not recognized.

Similar words were spoken earlier this year Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family - before he was rebuffed


Source Cathcon- Archbishop Leonard is in theory at least meant to be a conservative. Like origami, turn a conservative inside out and you get a liberal. You cannot do that with tradition. See also German Cardinal defends mutually caring homosexual relationships

Court judgement expected after raid on Cardinal's home in 2010

The Supreme Court focused on Tuesday for the fourth time on documents seized by the Brussels magistrate Wim De Troy in June 2010 from Archbishop's Palace of Mechelen and from offices and the private residence of Cardinal Danneels. The highest court in the country must decide if the Court of Indictment in Brussels had reason to exclude these documents from the file because the searches were not legal.

Searches conducted on 24 June 2010 were within the framework of Operation Chalice, the investigation by the Brussels judge, Wim De Troy of evidence for sexual abuse of children by clergy and the possible cover-up of these cases within the Catholic Church. Three differently constituted Court of Indictments decided one after the other that these searches were initially irregular, then they were perfectly legal and finally they were illegal. In their last judgment of November 29, 2011, the Court of Indictment found that the documents seized during the searches should be excluded from the file. The Court of Cassation quashed the decision because it was inadequate but the judgment declaring the raids irregular has not been finally broken. The Court of Indictment again decided in December 2012 that these parts should be excluded from file, but according to several plaintiffs, the Court is wrong and it must be overturned when the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation takes the opposite view. The Court will deliver its judgment on May 28

Source

"With John Paul II, we had a pope who became a saint with Francis, we have a saint who was elected Pope."

Francis Mania!

It is signed Antonio Gaspari, editorial coordinator of the agency Zenit. Note that the most important thing is not that it is boldly advanced, but what is carefully implied: there was a pope between John Paul II and Francis.

Belgicatho's orientation is that of a more traditional blog. So it is with surprise (and certain Belgian activists had to choke- including also CathCon - lived in Belgium for 10 years) that they were seen to be reproducing and boasting about an "excellent" interview with Cardinal Danneels, gravedigger of the Belgian Church, the carrier of the flame of the progressive Cardinal Martini. Belgicatho noticed that after the election of Francis: "Unquestionably, Cardinal Danneels is much happier in the aftermath of the election of Benedict XVI."

In his first Angelus, Francis mentioned the name of Cardinal Kasper, for no other reason than to show his proximity to the straying ecumenical theologian. Cardinal Kasper voted for him and openly violated his oath of confidentiality, "Cardinal Bergoglio was my early candidate and from the beginning of the conclave I voted for him. He represents a new beginning for the Church, a Church that is humble and fraternal, there for people and which returns to its source: the Gospel. "

I also cite the classic, which I have not yet mentioned: Francis is "the best choice" for the worst theologian possible: Hans Küng.

Source

Cathcon- after the Council, never were the Popes so holy and the Churches so empty.  It is the first time in history that a Pope has been canonised before election.....

See also Cardinal Kasper plots Anti-Ratzinger Pope

Cardinal Kasper's Progressive Pope

Pope Francis: installation Liturgy like none we’ve seen!

Inter-alia

"The Gospel will be chanted in Greek, not Latin.
Wow. I hear heads exploding. But that’s kind of a primary document language, yes?

Only 6 Cardinals will make the pledge of obedience to the pope, on behalf of all of them.
Okay, well, they’ve already done this privately, so I see the point — why make the mass longer when half a million people have to stand through it. But I hope they make the six most troublesome Cardinals do it. Make them speak the words!

Francis will wear the exact same palium worn by Benedict.
That’s a nice touch, and a tribute to his predecessor.

Patriarchs and major Archbishops of Eastern churches will join Francis in venerating the tomb of St. Peter."


Full story

Cathcon- Cardinal Danneels as the senior Cardinal Priest will read prayers.

Georg Ratzinger interviewed about his brother's abdication

Regensburg - Again, he sat in front of the TV and looked at "Joseph". This is the name Georg Ratzinger uses for his brother, who has been called Benedict XVI for almost eight years and on Wednesday had his last major appearance as Pope.

Although he can no longer see so well, the 89-year-old in Regensburg wanted to see as much of the general audience as popssible of the outgoing head of the Church in St. Peter's Square. "It was very touching," the prelate said to the news agency dpa. "There was a melancholy mood." And Georg Ratzinger added reassuringly added on the poor health of the soon to be emeritus pope. "He is fine"

Also on the evening of 19 April 2005 Georg Ratzinger had been sitting in front of the TV and looked fixedly at the St. Peter's Square, as "Habemus papam" was proclaimed and the Cardinal proto-Deacon proclaimed the name of the new pope: Joseph Ratzinger. From one second to the other, he became pale and the then 81-year-old slumped in his chair. "He is buried in front of the TV and does not say a word," reported his housekeeper, Agnes Heindl at that time. " I've never seen him like that." The fact that his brother was to be pope, and thus he would lose any private life, had shocked him.

But this time the old man who sat with his snow-white hair was a lot more relaxed in front of the TV. "Despite a certain emotion, the positives are of greater weight," Georg Ratzinger said now about the last major appearance of his brother as Pope. The presence of many of the faithful in St. Peter's Square have let the Catholic Church appear as "one big family". His brother had been "relatively well disposed," certified Georg Ratzinger his closest relative, "even though his inner emotions could be seen."

He who had immediately after the election of Joseph Ratzinger to be Pope had heard the words of the longtime Regensburg chapel choir director, could even then hear doubts about the capacity of the prelate, "I had thought that the not so good health of my brother would have led the Cardinals to choose a somewhat younger pope, "Georg Ratzinger said at the time.

For the last appearance of Benedict XVI in St Peter's Square, the 89-year-old was not specially in Rome. "My brother would have had no time in the day for me," Ratzinger explained his absence.

At the inauguration ceremony on 24 April 2005, he had certainly been there. His next visit to the then already emeritus pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo is planned for mid-April.
A repeated return visit of his brother to him in Regensburg, Georg Ratzinger, does not believe will happen. "Joseph" will no longer come to Germany, the longtime head of the cathedral choir is sure, even if Prime Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) personally gave an invitation to the Pope at the Vatican on Wednesday. When Benedict XVI visited Bavaria in 2006, he returned for a few hours to the house of Georg Ratzinger.

Thus, the older brother will still visit the younger several times a year in Rome, soon in in his new home, a converted monastery Vatican. There will be space for both. For Georg Ratzinger knows: "I get my own room."

Source

Georg Ratzinger is not convinced that one of the Cardinal Electors is even a Catholic.

Cardinal Danneels leaves for Rome, calls for Papal privy council and Curia reform

The new pope must bring unity in diversity, Cardinal Danneels said on Wednesday at a press conference before his departure for Rome, where he will be present on Thursday for the farewell ceremony of Benedict XVI. For the latter the cardinal had nothing but praise.

It was the first time since the announcement of the resignation of Benedict XVI Cardinal Danneels had spoken to the press.

Danneels is thus going to the conclave, despite various calls not to do. They came there because he would not have moral authority to decide on the successor to the Pope because a judicial inquiry against him because he would have been aware of abuse in the church, but not surgery. A pope is not a matter of moral authority, but it is the duty of every Cardinal Danneels said about that.

The cardinal began his speech with praise for the current pope. He praised him as one who serves his talents fully stated as leader of the church. The three books he wrote about the life of Jesus are written in the style of the Fathers, and that is saying something, "says Danneels.

But wait many challenges still wait the new Pope, he says. His main task is 'unity in diversity'. "We live in a complex world, with rapidly evolving communications and different realities and sensitivities in different continents. The new Pope should try to bring more unity. According to Danneels, the next Pope should be someone with 'great empathy' for sensitivities and differences.

Cardinal Danneels on Wednesday also called for changes in the Curia and supports a privy counsel to assist the Pope.

Cardinal Danneels departs on Wednesday for Rome to attend on Thursday morning the farewell ceremony for Benedict XVI. He remains there until a new Pope is elected.

Source

Vatican insists all cardinals must attend Conclave- even Danneels,Brady, Mahony and Rigali

The Vatican said Friday that the presence of the cardinals in the conclave to elect the new pope is an absolute requirement, while many of them criticized in pedophilia scandals are pressed by victims' associations not to go to Rome.

Father Federico Lombardi, spokesman of the Holy See- "It is a duty, a ministry given to cardinals. Under no circumstances can it be waived," said Father Federico Lombardi, spokesman of the Holy See at a press briefing.

In several countries, the United States, Belgium and Ireland, associations of former victims of pedophile priests are pushing for some cardinals to be prevented by their church to go to Rome.

Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles is particularly in the crosshairs, after he was relieved of his duties last month for protecting in the past priests accused of sexual abuse.
But the former Archbishop of Philadelphia Justin Francis Rigali, Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels and Irish Cardinal Sean Brady are also on trial.

In principle, the electoral college is composed of 117 cardinals under the age of 80 years. But more could be absent for health reasons. "The acceptance of reasons for absence depends on the congregation of cardinals meeting prior to the conclave, after the resignation of the pope, said Father Lombardi.

Asked about the predictable absence of Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja, Archbishop Emeritus of Jakarta, the spokesman acknowledged that a cardinal would probably be absent "for health reasons", these generally being considered valid.

According to the Italian magazine Panorama, another Cardinal Antonius Naguib Egyptian could also be absent for health reasons.

Source

Pressure on Cardinal Danneels not to attend Conclave

The representatives of the victims of the paedophile priests "do not want him not to go"

Father Rik Devillé, head of the group "Human Rights in the Church" wants to prevent the Cardinal Godfried Danneels from participating in the next conclave. "It would be morally inappropriate given everything we know about how the cardinal was silent for years about sexual abuse by his priests! And then there is always an ongoing investigation for culpable negligence by absence or non-assistance to people in danger. "

Judgment falls like a guillotine blade from the former parish priest who never ceases to settle accounts with his institution, and he is obviously inspired by the campaign against the presence of American cardinal Roger Mahony in the conclave who faces strong critcism on both sides of the Atlantic.

But comparison is not right: the former Archbishop of Los Angeles relieved by his successor Msgr Gomez and can not speak or act in the American Church. He is called to the conclave, because he is not yet 80 years old because the Pope has not (yet) been led to the logical conclusion to deprive him of his title of cardinal. A heavy decision , so heavy that there is only one precedent: Cardinal Louis Billot, who could not accept the condemnation by the Church of Action française and Charles Maurras.

Rik Devillé however did not budge: he suggests that the successor Godfried Danneels, Archbishop Léonard, should follow his fellow Californian, and also remove the cardinal. No question of starting a petition here, but " Mensenrechten Kerk" will contact directly parishes and local communities in the coming days.

What do the top of the church think of this? Spokesman for the Bishops' Conference, Fr Tommy Scholtes SJ has no doubt that Cardinal Danneels will go to Rome and will have the rest next week to farewell the current pope. "It is a duty for him, especially as this is an important vote for the universal Church as it is for Belgium. I will go further: if there was no real reason, the conclave could be invalidated! Finally, Rik Devillé is aware that there is the presumption of innocence. "

The controversy arises at the moment of the publication of the first report of the Arbitration Center of Parliament and the Belgian Church. Finally, 621 victims of clerical abuse have made a request for compensation. So far, 67 cases have been treated, resulting in damages of 303,000 euros. The Church will pay finally about 2.5 to 3 million euros. So far, it has paid compensation of 5000 euros relating to 48 "lighter" cases and larger amounts for 19 "serious" cases.

Source

Two cardinals who should not be allowed to vote in the Conclave

Cardinal Mahony, who besides having no liturgical sense,

mishandled the abuse crisis.

Not just incompetence.....

Victims. 

Cardinal Danneels with the former abuser Bishop of Bruges, 

see Cathcon passim

Both arch- liberals

No wonder there are no liberal candidates at the Conclave 

to succeed to the mantle of the late Cardinal Martini

Did Cardinal know of new abuse allegation against Belgian Bishop?

The federal prosecutor confirmed Monday that a complaint with a civil action was brought against Roger Vangheluwe July 18, the former bishop of Bruges.

The complaint originated from a former resident of Huize Godtschalck in Loker (Heuvelland), in the Westhoek. Previously orphanage, it is now a welcome centre for children experiencing learning difficulties.

The man in question has spent much of his youth in this institution. The complaint was filed on July 18 by his lawyers, Tine Verbeke and Walter Van Steenbrugge. "The complainant has been sexually abused, physically and emotionally in the years following his eighth birthday by the former Bishop Roger Vangheluwe in the foster home Huize Godtschalck in Loker, all taking place when he spent his holidays in Oostduinkerke with other children of the institution. "

The complaint is not directed solely against Mr. Vangheluwe but also against X, that is to say people who have been guilty of negligence to a minor in distress, and against the competent authority which has avoided investigating the facts: the Catholic Church.

Source

Cathcon- is X, Cardinal Danneels, who is widely suspected of being negligent in other cases? The big question is when did the Cardinal know about this case, and what did he do about it, when he did.  More details below by clicking on the links for the Cardinal and his friend the Bishop.

Pedophile bishop remains unpunished by church or state

Vangheluwe nog altijd niet gestraft - Het Nieuwsblad

Two years after he was forced to resigned as Bishop of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe has still not been punished by the Pope. The pastor may no longer lead worship but still retains the title of bishop. This should not be taking place according to the Working Group on Human Rights in the Church "Archbishop Danneels and Leonard his successor did not insist in Rome on a punishment and meanwhile let the victims continue to suffer."

Press reports that Cardinal Danneels to be questioned again

Federaal parket geeft geen commentaar over verloop onderzoek Operatie Kelk - Belga Algemeen - Knack.be - Knack.be:

The federal prosecutor makes no comment nor reaction to the news in recent days in the press about Operation Chalice about the results of the judicial investigation or impending investigation activities. According to the spokeswoman, Lieve Pellens, the timing of the closure of the investigation suggested in the media is at least premature.

Belgian prosecutor's office does not comment on the progress of the Operation Chalice investigation

Het Laatste Nieuws reported that Cardinal Danneels had been informed of sexual abuse by clergy at least forty times in recent years, while De Morgen on Thursday announced that the Cardinal would again be questioned in the coming days. "We do not comment on the contents of the judicial inquiry, neither the results nor other acts of investigation or whether or not questioning is imminent." Different media also report that Operation Chalice, the judicial inquiry into the facts of negligence of sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church is in its final stages and that the trial judge would shortly charge some people. "The timing is at least premature," said Pellens. "Mrs. Calewaert took over the investigation in  early April from Mr. Troy. She needs time to work. Moreover, the Court of Indictment once again has to make a ruling on the documents seized in Cardinal Danneels and the archdiocese."

Cardinal's lawyer tries to stop incriminating leaks by going to court

Le cardinal Danneels "n'a rien à ajouter" - 7SUR7.be

Cardinal Godfried Danneels has nothing to add to the answers he gave to the Commission of Inquiry on sexual abuse was his reaction Wednesday, speaking through his lawyer, after the publishing of an article in Het Laatste Nieuws which indicates that he had been notified at least forty times of cases of sexual abuse within the Church committed in recent decades. The lawyer of the Cardinal will file a complaint to determine whether there has been a violation of the confidentiality of investigations, he says in a statement.

The Flemish newspaper article is a "poor dish, badly warmed, not by coincidence published a few days after the judgement of the Court of Cassation last week, in which the illegality of searches and seizures has been finally confirmed," said Fernand Keuleneer.

The lawyer said that he was once again appalled that Het Laatste Nieuws “refers to “sources close to the judiciary”, and that the newspaper provides information on the state of the investigation, and what conclusions or not the justices have already reached"

The cardinal and his council will again complain to the judge "to determine if, once again, there is a question of disinformation and manipulation of the investigation, and a violation of the secrecy of the investigation. "

In an article published Wednesday, the Flemish daily recounted that Cardinal Danneels had been informed at least forty times of cases of sexual abuse within the Church in recent decades, based on letters from the records of Operation Chalice.

Cardinal Danneels knew about 40 cases of sexual abuse

'Belgische kardinaal wist van kindermisbruik' - RTL Nieuws.nl


The Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels was definitely informed forty times of sexual abuse within the Belgian Catholic Church, according to the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, which relies on a correspondence between the cardinal and the victims or their families. These letters have emerged as part of the extensive investigation, named Operation Chalice.

The 78-year-old Danneels has always denied having been aware of child abuse by clergy. From the letters, it appears that the cardinal, in his previous role as archbishop, would pray for the victims. In some cases he gave spiritual advice, but he never went to the justices, the newspaper says.

Raids on Cardinal Danneels were illegal claims lawyer

"Huiszoekingen bij kardinaal Danneels waren onwettelijk" - HLN.be

After the judgment of the Supreme Court, it is now definitely established that the raids on 24 June 2010 which were made on the Archbishop's Palace, and on Cardinal Danneels obtained material illegally says Fernand Keuleneer, lawyer for the Archdiocese and Cardinal, commenting on the judgment.

The raids of June 24, 2010 within the context of Operation Chalice by the judicial inquiry that the investigating magistrate in Brussels, Wim De Troy alleged sexual abuse of children and a possible cover-up on the matters within the Catholic Church. "This judgment finally has confirmed what we have been insisting already since June 25 2010, that the Investigating Court undertook an illegal and arbitrary operation," says Keuleneer. "The searches and seizures of the Adriaenssens Commission in Leuven/Louvain have already been annulled." The Brussels High Court will now again have to decide whether the documents that were seized must be removed from the file. "As repeatedly stated, these documents are useless for investigation", the lawyer continued, "and indeed has be understood for a long time. Basically, however, we find that it cannot be the case that a investigating magistrate can collect anything in an illegal manner. An investigation must be conducted in a legally correct manner. Otherwise we end up in a situation where a robbery, while prohibited, can result in the robber keeping the spoils. That's not good for the rule of law."

Cathcon- seems that Danneels' lawyer has in one sense advanced but also suffered a setback, as the way is now open for the use of the documents obtained in the raid.