Raid on Belgian archdiocese causes uproar

Tag: belgium

In a strongly worded statement, the Vatican last week expressed surprise and indignation at the way Belgian police carried out a raid on the headquarters of the Belgian Catholic Church in connection with an investigation into alleged priestly sex abuse.

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The Vatican Secretariat of State expressed “true surprise” for the nine-hour-long police blitz and “indignation” for what it said was the violation of tombs of two late cardinals during the search.

News reports said that in the raid, police had sealed off the headquarters of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels, including the residence of Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard. They also searched the home of Cardinal Godfried Danneels, the retired archbishop for the archdiocese.

Bishops were gathered for a scheduled meeting at the headquarters when they were surprised by police who then confiscated documents and cell phones of all present.

Everyone was questioned by authorities.

http://www.catholicsentinel.org/Main....leID=11899