Pope Francis strips child abuse bishop Roger Vangheluwe of his titles

After what are being called "serious new elements concerning Vangheluwe's case" were reported in recent months, the nuncio’s office decided in early March to transmit a proposal to the Vatican to dismiss Vangheluwe from his clerical status . On 11 March, Pope Francis granted the request and ordered that the punishment proposed be implemented.

Yesterday, Vangheluwe was informed of the measure. He asked to be allowed to remain in a place of reflection to pray and do penance, with no further contact with the outside world.

As a result of the stripping of his clerical status, in principle Roger Vangheluwe can now go wherever he wants, the Belgian Bishops' Conference says. However, it has been agreed with the authorities of the French abbey where he is currently staying that he can continue to stay there in seclusion.

Pope Francis has meanwhile expressed "his closeness with the victims of abuse". The nuncio let it be known that the pope remains committed "to eradicating this scourge from the Church of Rome".

No paedophile, but in a 'relationship'

After in 2010 it became public knowledge that the bishop had abused his nephew for many years Vangheluwe resigned and withdrew from public life. First, he moves to the abbey of Westvleteren in West Flanders, but soon he moved on to an abbey in the Loire region of France. There he stays in seclusion. He is not allowed to show himself in public, nor is he allowed to lead church services.

In a revealing interview Vangheluwe speaks for the first time and admits abuse of a second nephew.

At the time, he minimises the years of abuse. "I don't at all have the impression that I am a paedophile," he says. "It was a kind of 'relationship'. I did not have the impression that my nephew objected, quite the contrary."

Belgium is outraged but, in the end, little changes. Despite everything, Vangheluwe retains his title of priest as well as that of bishop. Roman Catholic church law can apparently do little about it.

VRT documentary puts grease to pope's elbow

Through the years, Vangheluwe always refused to renounce his titles. This only changed after a VRT documentary series about child abuse in the Church of Rome. Through the courageous testimony of his nephew Mark Vangheluwe, things gradually start to move.

Under pressure from Bishop Johan Bonny, Vangheluwe wrote a letter to the pope asking to renounce his titles. It’s a request the pope has now granted.