"One hour for 15 people? It's not really listening," said Marc De Bosscher, 63, who was sexually abused by a priest in his church outside Brussels in the 1970s, when he was 11 and 12. "It's some window dressing." His statements reflect the frustration many feel regarding the church's minimal engagement with abuse survivors during Pope Francis's visit.
In his speech to the Belgian authorities, Pope Francis stated, "The church must be ashamed and ask for forgiveness... This is our shame and our humiliation." His words highlight not only an acknowledgment of the church’s failures but also a call for deeper accountability and action.
Despite the acknowledgment of abuse, the church's actions in Belgium remain troubling. After the then-bishop of Bruges admitted to abusive acts, he faced no criminal charges for over a decade, raising concerns about the church's commitment to genuine reform and justice for the victims.
One survivor described experiencing rape by priests and other victims during his schooling in Flanders, illustrating the horrific extent of abuse and the profound impact it has had on countless lives within the church community.
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