Belgian Cardinal Godfried Danneels' remarks to a victim who was abused by his uncle, a bishop have been interpreted out of context, said a spokesman for the cardinal. "This was a totally confidential meeting, and the family intended to keep it all within the family," said Toon Osaer, spokesman for the cardinal, who retired in January as archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, reports the Catholic News Service.
"This is why the cardinal tried to see if a reconciliation was possible. He asked the victim if (his abuser, Bishop Roger Vangheluwe of Brugge) should resign immediately, pointing out that we would then have to provide an explanation for his departure.
He said if the resignation could be left for another year, it would not be necessary to bring the family's internal affairs into the open."
"There was no intention of any cover-up," Mr Osaer said of the remarks, which were secretly taped and recently released in Belgian newspapers.
Bishop Vangheluwe resigned on April 23 after admitting abusing his nephew for 13 years.
"Seen from today's perspective, the cardinal realises he was rather naive to think he could help the family in question reach a reconciliation," Mr Osaer, said. "At that moment, however, the family didn't want to make public something they'd kept secret for 24 years."
Cardinal Danneels had not kept notes from the "informal private meeting" April 8 and could not verify the transcript's accuracy.
He added that he believed the text was "broadly correct" but said the context had been "totally different" than newspapers currently claimed.
Mr Osaer told CNS that Cardinal Danneels had offered his advice because the family "disagreed sharply" over the best course of action.
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