Former Belgian cardinal urges ‘openness’ on sex abuse

21/12/10 19:23 CET

world news

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The former leader of Belgian Catholics said on Tuesday that greater openness in the Church would ensure its priests could not molest children again.

Retired Cardinal Godfried Danneels told a parliamentary inquiry that the Catholic Church should not be “untouchable.”

He said the church “must look its dark side in the eyes” because, arrogantly, it “often thinks too much of itself rather than the victims.”

The Belgian Catholic Church was hit by a scandal last spring when it emerged a bishop had abused his nephew.

Since then, more than 500 people have come forward to say they were molested too.

The victims were aged between two and six years old when the alleged abuse happened.

More about: Belgium, Pedophilia, Religion

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