Former Bruges bishop Roger Vangheluwe, central figure in Belgian church abuse scandal, dies at 89
Roger Vangheluwe, the former bishop of Bruges who admitted to sexually abusing his nephews and was laicized by Pope Francis, has died at 89 in French exile, reopening wounds for victims.
Death of a disgraced bishop
Roger Vangheluwe, the former bishop of Bruges, died on 1 July at the age of 89. He had spent the last 15 years in isolation at the Saint-Pierre Abbey in Solesmes, France, after resigning in disgrace in 2010. The Belgian bishops' conference announced his death on 3 July, noting he was buried in "strict intimacy."
The abuse revelations
In spring 2010, it emerged that Vangheluwe had sexually abused his nephew Mark for nearly 15 years, beginning before he became bishop and continuing afterward. He resigned immediately. In a 2011 television interview, he admitted also abusing a second nephew. Later allegations included the abuse of twin three-year-old girls in a Kortrijk orphanage and an altar boy in the early 1970s. Cardinal Godfried Danneels had been informed of the crimes but did not act adequately.
Everywhere we hear of priests who have abused children. It is terrible what is coming to light and it causes us great pain.
Operation Chalice and wider fallout
The scandal triggered Operation Chalice, a large-scale investigation into sexual abuse within the Belgian Church. Hundreds of victims came forward, and the case acted as a catalyst for others to share their stories. Bishop Johan Bonny later described it as a "catalyst" that allowed many to break their silence.
Exile and laicization
Vangheluwe lived in a French abbey under orders from Rome, initially retaining his clerical titles. After the 2023 documentary "Godvergeten" aired, public pressure intensified. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo formally asked the Vatican to strip his title. Pope Francis laicized him on 11 March 2024, removing all ecclesiastical rights.
- Appointed bishop of Bruges
- Resigns after abuse of nephew revealed
- Admits to abusing two nephews in VT4 interview
- Documentary 'Godvergeten' airs, reigniting scandal
- Laicized by Pope Francis, loses clerical status
- Dies at age 89 in Solesmes, France
Reactions to his death
Bishop Bonny said his thoughts were first with the victims, for whom the news could reawaken painful memories. He expressed hope that the death might bring serenity. Lawyer Walter Van Steenbrugge, representing victims, stated Vangheluwe never showed remorse.
Never did a word of regret pass his lips. His attitude was one of denial, ignoring and minimizing.
I think today first of all of the victims of abuse, for whom this may bring back all possible memories of their own story and its aftermath.
The bishops' conference acknowledged the lasting suffering caused by sexual abuse in the Church and reiterated its commitment to recognizing and caring for victims.
