The laicization of a Belgian bishop who admitted abusing a minor-- his nephew-- would be “more symbolic than practical,” said Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Holy See Press Office, “because the exercise of his ministry is already excluded at the present time.” “The Pope and his collaborators” share Belgian society’s concerns about Bishop Roger Vangheluwe’s misdeeds, said Father Lombardi, and Pope Benedict will “certainly need time to be informed and to reflect” before deciding whether to take any additional action.
Bishop Guy Harpigny of Tournai, a fellow Belgian bishop, has called upon the Vatican to take additional action against Bishop Vangheluwe.
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