The Catholic Church of Belgium officially stated that it admits that for many decades among many of its clergymen have have been frequent cases of sexual harassment for children. Also, representatives of the Church also promised that in the near future a special system would be created to punish pedophiles and protect their victims in the near future. The Associated Press clarifies that these statements were made on September 13-on Monday during a press conference, which was also a participant in Andre-Jose Leonar-Belgian archbishop. However, in his speech, this clergyman emphasized that church leadership needs some time in order to take all the necessary measures against pedophiles.
“Associated Press” notes that these statements are the result of a recently published report, which refers to the fact that over the past 50 years, several hundred cases have been registered in which the Belgians have become victims of numerous harassment of Catholic priests. So, for example, in this document, which was prepared by the Special Church Commission, it is said that at least 13 people underwent sexual violence soon finished their lives. It is also clarified that most of the suicides mentioned in the report falls on 1960-1970.
If you believe the words of the archbishop, then the indicators given in the document plunged the church leadership in horror. Andre-Zhoza Leonar admitted that today the Catholic Church of Belgium is undergoing a deep crisis, to leave which it will be very difficult for her.
Recall that the existence of the problem of widespread pedophilia among the numerous ministers of the Roman Catholic Church today, the world community spoke after the article published in March of this year in the newspaper The New York Times, of which Pope Benedict XVI accused of being a cardinal, He stopped the investigation against one American priest who was suspected of molesting boys.
As for the situation in Belgium, the case that occurred in April of this year is noted, when the bishop of the city of Bruges confessed that he seduced a minor, after which he folded off his rank. Some time a few more high -ranking priests were suspected of similar crimes later. And in June, the Belgian police searched several archbishops at home, among whom was Leonar.
