Why doesn't Rome want to take any action against abusive Bishop protected by Cardinal Danneels?
Bishop Bonny: 'Vangheluwe has been again asked to seek laicisation from episcopal office, otherwise Rome must intervene'
Belgian Bishops have again asked Roger Vangheluwe to approach the Vatican to seek laicisation. Bishop Johan Bonny stated this in "De afspraak" in response to "Godforsaken", the series on sexual abuse in the church. In addition, he also blames former Cardinal Danneels for a lack of leadership. And the Vatican also needs to do more: "We have asked several times to undo the consecration of Roger Vangheluwe as bishop, but we get no response."
After the first episode of "Godvergeten", the Bishops' Conference limited itself to a written response. "The broadcast makes a deep impression because of the authenticity of the stories, the seriousness of the crimes committed and the injuries they caused," it said at the time. The bishops also said they "appreciate the courage of the victims" and that they are aware that the many acts of sexual abuse have caused irreparable damage.
A few days later, on the day on which the second episode was to be broadcast, Bishop Johan Bonny responded in "De morgen" on Radio 1. The Bishop of Antwerp then spoke up for the people who have been following the issue within the Church for years. "What I have difficulty with is that the impression is now being given that we have done nothing all these years," he said.
"I have used expressions that I want to take back" Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp
Godvergeten
Bishop Bonny about "Godvergeten": "I didn't become a priest to have to clean this up, but we do it"
In terms of content, the bishop only wished to respond after the complete series. That is why tonight, after the broadcast of the fourth and final episode of "Godvergeten" on VRT CANVAS, he was a guest in an extra episode of "De afspraak".
At the beginning of that conversation he wants to qualify his statements in "De Morgen". "In that interview I used expressions that I want to take back. Everything hit me so hard, it was meant differently."
Blind spot
However, he does not take back his criticism of the previous generation. "I blame them for not solving it. That makes me angry." According to Bonny, the series and the "compelling testimonies of the victims" are the signal to "say goodbye to a story and certain figures".
He is talking, for example, about former Cardinal Godfried Danneels, the man who had tried to convince Roger Vangheluwe's cousin "to remain silent about the abuse for another year". Because then the bishop would retire. A conversation that fortunately the cousin had recorded, which finally resulted in a confession on tape and the ball started rolling.
"I believe Rik Devillé went to Danneels with the victims and letters, but for Danneels that was a blind spot. A blind spot that was right in front of him." Bonny therefore accuses Danneels of a lack of leadership. "He was not a leader, you cannot let this pass. He should have stood up."
"If Vangheluwe himself does not resign from his positions, Rome will have to do it" Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp
Bonny is also not gentle with that other figure from the past, Roger Vangheluwe. Vangheluwe is still a Bishop and lives secluded in an abbey. He should have been laicised as bishop and priest long ago, according to the Bishop of Antwerp.
"We have asked him ourselves to resign from his positions and have asked Rome to do so several times, the last time in November last year. "But we have not received a response there either and that makes us angry."
Vangheluwe himself is said to have asked the bishops' conference for "time to reflect". Bonny expects an answer soon. "But if he doesn't do it himself, Rome must take action." According to him, his call in "The appointment" can certainly contribute to this. "For rest assured that this conversation will reach Rome."
Makers of "Godvergeten" look back: "Indignation should not stop until this has been purified"
Outstretched hand to the victims
In "Forgotten God" the victims of sexual abuse by Belgian clergy repeatedly emphasize that they mainly want recognition from the church for their suffering. Something they say they have not received yet.
"There have been many individual recognitions," says Bonny. "But I don't know if that is enough. We have to talk to them about that and if that is not the case, we have to see what else we can do."
Bonny then reached out to the victims. "They are all welcome tomorrow. And we are also going to take the initiative to visit them ourselves. We want to listen to them and see together in what way they want to engage in conversation. I also realise that some of them will not want that."
"We never went through the legal process" Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp
On Operation Chalice, which is still under investigation, Bonny is adamant. "Godvergeten", he says, gives the impression that the Church put pressure on the judiciary, including to have certain documents removed from the file, but he says this is manifestly false. "We have never crossed the legal procedure," he said.
According to Bonny, the court started the case in the wrong way and that harsh approach damaged the file from the start. "I was there myself, it was 'crazy'. They even broke open Cardinal Mercier's tomb in the cathedral to find files on child abuse."
The shocking story of the protection of Bishop Vangheluwe by Cardinal Danneels. The Bishop concelebrated Mass at Solesmes!
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