European culture gives the impression of “silent apostasy” on the part of people who have all that they need and who live as if God does not exist.
John Paul II
Ecclesia in Europa
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1. In Belgium (actually, it is not clear where he is), the emeritus ultra-"Progressive" Bishop of Bruges, Roger "Runaway" Vangheluwe, declares in an interview that the abuse of his nephew was no big deal.
A Belgian former bishop has disappeared from his French religious community three days after he admitted to sexually abusing two of his nephews, its leader told AFP on Sunday.
Roger Vangheluwe resigned as Bishop of Bruges last year after confessing to having sex with his underage nephew, but was not prosecuted as the crimes had taken place several years previously before the statute of limitations.
Last week, he again caused outraged when he gave a television interview in which he also admitted to molesting a second nephew but insisted he did not consider hiself a paedophile nor a threat to children.
"How did it start?" Vangheluwe said in the interview. "As in all families: when they came to visit, my nephews would stay over.
"It began as a kind of game with this boy. It was never a question of rape, or physical violence. ... [Rorate note: edited out due to strong language]
"I don't in the slightest have any sense I am a paedophile. I don't get the impression my nephew was opposed, quite the contrary," he added although he also admitted: "I knew it wasn't good, I confessed it several times."
After the first scandal, The Vatican ordered him to seek "spiritual and psychological treatment" at a church community La Ferte-Imbault in France, and to stay out of the public eye.
Following the interview, which outraged many in Belgium and drew a sharp denunciation from the Council of Bishops, there were calls for him to be prosecuted. But on Sunday it emerged that he had gone.
"He left last night," the mother superior of the Brotherhood of Jerusalem told AFP at the community. Asked where he had gone, she said: "I don't know. We are referring all questions to the papal nuncio's office in Belgium." (Source: Radio Netherlands.)
Archbishop Leonard condemned Runaway's declarations.
Roger Joseph Vangheluwe was appointed Bishop of Bruges by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 15, 1984.
Roger Joseph Vangheluwe was appointed Bishop of Bruges by Pope John Paul II on Dec. 15, 1984.
2. Also in Belgium, a "Christianophobe" Lent exhibition - in Hasselt Cathedral (warning: utterly disrespectful and strong pictures - link at "voici une photo"). Local Bishop Patrick Hoogmartens does not seem to mind it - the exhibition was even announced in the Belgian Episcopal Conference website.
Patrick Hoogmartens was appointed Bishop of Hasselt by Pope John Paul II on Jul. 8, 1997.
Patrick Hoogmartens was appointed Bishop of Hasselt by Pope John Paul II on Jul. 8, 1997.
