By Ihechi Enyinnaya
Pope Francis has insisted that the Catholic Church must apologise for the widespread issue of child sexual abuse that ravaged the church recently.
He said this during his visit to Belgium, a country with a troubled history related to the Churchlmlml
Speaking at the Laeken Palace to political and civil leaders, he described the “tragic instances of child abuse” as a stain on the Church’s reputation.
“It is our shame and our humiliation. The Church must seek forgiveness,” he stated.
The 87-year-old pontiff plans to meet with clerical sexual assault victims in Brussels, acknowledging Belgium’s long history of scandals and cover-ups. He affirmed that the Church is taking decisive action by listening to victims and implementing global prevention programs.
Throughout his papacy, Francis has focused on addressing sexual assault within the Church, advocating for a strict “zero tolerance” policy in response to widespread abuse.
Additionally, he expressed sorrow over a forced adoption scandal in Belgium, where institutions run by nuns took babies from thousands of underage and unmarried women between 1945 and the 1980s. He recognized the severe impact of such injustices on society.
In 2023, Belgian bishops issued an apology and called for an independent investigation following reports from women who claimed they were “sold” by the Church.
Prime Minister De Croo remarked that the issues of child sexual abuse and forced adoptions have deeply undermined trust in the Church.
As a testament to ongoing challenges, the schedule for an open-air mass concluding Francis’s visit had to be revised after it was revealed that the closing hymn was composed by an accused priest.
Archbishop Luc Terlinden of the Belgian Bishops Conference acknowledged the need for improved oversight of cases and perpetrators, admitting that the Church must do better.
Pope Francis arrived in Belgium after a day in Luxembourg, where he advocated for international diplomacy amid global conflicts. He was welcomed by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde and is set to meet with academics at the Catholic University of Leuven, which will celebrate its 600th anniversary next year.
The last papal visit to Brussels was in 1995, when John Paul II attended the beatification of Saint Damien, who dedicated his life to lepers.