Thursday’s news about the defrocking of Roger Vangheluwe has given us an answer to a question raised with some palpable urgency by another high-profile scandal touching the very echelons of power in the Vatican.
The other case is that of Fr. Marko Rupnik, the inveterate creep and serial abuser of mostly religious women, accused but never tried for his alleged crimes, which he committed over three decades, much of which he spent right under the noses of Roman authorities in the Society of Jesus—to which he then belonged—and the Vatican for which he did a lot of work.
Perhaps the past tense of the verb “to do” is not accurate. Rupnik is still listed as a consultant to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Since the one thing of which Rupnik has been convicted is criminal abuse of the confessional, one may suspect some fuzziness in the office about what “discipline of the sacraments” really means.
The Rupnik business is ghastly, but we were talking about Roger Vangheluwe.
In case you’ve lost track, Vangheluwe is the deep-dyed pervert and serial criminal sexual abuser of his own nephews. Yes, that’s nephews, plural. Vangheluwe was the Bishop of Bruges in Belgium for a quarter century until he was found out and admitted to his abuse in 2010.
Belgian authorities decided not to prosecute Uncle Roger, saying his crimes were statute-barred. Pope Benedict XVI sent Vangheluwe out of the public eye and into early retirement. He kept his “emeritus” title—usually reserved for bishops in good standing—and went to a Cistercian abbey.
There may be some very strict sense in which the claims from the Vatican (through the nunciature) may be accurate, but that doesn’t make them true in any pertinent sense.
Since nobody with a position of responsibility in the Church has offered particulars regarding these grave new elements, it’s impossible to say.
One may be forgiven the impression that’s the way the Vatican types want it, though—this is pure speculation—the communiqué from the nunciature to Belgium reads like it was written by a guy who knows how bad it sounds and isn’t at any pains to make it sound any better than it is, even if he’ll play ball for the time being and keep the details under wraps.
One supposes it could be pure coincidence that these grave new elements have come to light just as Belgium’s Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, called on the Vatican to strip Vangheluwe of his ecclesiastical dignity; and just as the Belgian bishops testified before a parliamentary inquiry to the effect that they’ve been quietly lobbying the pope for action on Vangheluwe since at least 2017; and just as the Belgian bishops’ mouthpiece told the parliament of Flanders that the pope’s planned visit couldn’t possibly come off unless the Vangheluwe business was addressed first.
I mean, it’s possible.
Cathobel.be had a piece saying the DDF had “the recent testimony of a victim” among the new elements, but that could mean lots of things.
Among the strange coincidences surrounding the Vangheluwe affair is that these grave new elements have come to the DDF only after another senior prelate tarnished by the scandal, Cardinal Godfried Danneels, became safely dead.
Danneels, you may recall, resigned his capital see of Mechelen-Brussels in disgrace in 2010, after it emerged that he had pressured one of Vangheluwe’s victims to keep quiet about the abuse he had suffered, at least until Vangheluwe was retired.
Danneels was down, but only momentarily. Danneels kept his red hat and his voting rights and participated in the conclave that elected Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 2013. Pope Francis had Danneels on the loggia with him when he first greeted the faithful, hinting at a rehabilitation that the pope would further when he invited Danneels to participate in the 2014 synod on the family. Danneels died in 2019.
What do the Rupnik case and the Vangheluwe case have to do with one another?
Well, the Rupnik case has raised the question of what it may take for a clerical abuser with powerful friends to be disciplined by the Church.
The answer appears to be that it takes at least the prospect of embarrassment to Pope Francis, highlighted by a sitting prime minister and the whole of the local bishops’ conference.
That might just do it.
If, on the other hand, you are the victim of abuse at the hands of a priest or bishop with friends in the curia, and if you can’t count on the vocal public support of a sitting head of government and your local bishops’ conference, you’re probably out of luck.
Just ask the victims of Fr. Marko Rupnik.
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Deftly spoken, Mr. Altieri. Rupnik is every bit the “inveterate creep.”
In fact inveterate creepiness seems to be a resume enhancer in Bergoglio’s Dark Vatican.
Hopefully Jesus will have pity on his little ones who are wandering in confusion like sheep with inveterately creepy shepherds.
Accurate comment, dear ‘brineyman’’. Only let’s not forget their HYPOCRISY.
Perhaps it’s not a coincidence that Joseph Sciambra encountered the unwelcome sign in the Church and so left. What has really changed since 2002? After all, a predator/abuser and a possible predator enabler were placed in charge of cleaning up Dodge City. Serial abusers have little to fear from consequences. The Church does not have a lock on the market of mercy however, but the Zulocks apparently went too far. The Islamic world seems unrestrained in putting the stick about. I wear a Star of David pin — Israel’s Old Testament justice horrifies establishments everywhere and so their cries for mercy. It’s as if a John Patrick Shanley or an equivalent were scripting the Vatican and its secular partners. Prison is one thing; death row confessionals would be something quite other. Jesus wept. He weeps alone.
I have come to the conclusion that high ranking members of the Catholic clergy are intrinsically incapable of a. telling the truth and, b. doing the right thing. In others words, these clergy have seriously disordered consciences; they actually believe the lies they tell and think that the evil they do are virtues.
Thank you, Mr. Altieri for, once again and in blunt language, connecting all the dots in this most recent chapter of stunningly repugnant moral turpitude by the Church’s high prelates and the Papa Pachamama who has coddled and protected them. Let’s be very honest. They are, one and all, “inveterate creeps”. The disturbing question I wish you would address is how a practicing Catholic can possibly be “in communion” with such degenerates and how they can in moral and canonical fact claim that they in fact hold the offices and prelatial dignities that they claimed. Even beyond that, is it possible to comprehend that each and all of them have spent years, decades, and even clerical lifetimes offering daily blasphemous and sacrilegious Masses?
“The answer appears to be . . . .”
Does, doesn’t it?
Thank you for this. Another pathetic PR stunt by a pontificate that answers to and uses sexually sick, powerful men. As if God is fooled…Our colossal Church crisis is at root a faith crisis.
Perhaps AI can help us connect the dots to further expose how these episcopal wolves appoint and cover for each other. And we can all be more attuned to the voices of victims.
There is Hell to pay…
Speaking of a faith crisis, why should Pope Francis seek justice for victims of episcopal sexual abuse when he can save the planet from “ecological sins”? Pope Jellyby
“St. Francis did not love humanity but men, so he did not love Christianity but Christ.” Chesterton
In “recent months,” according to the Pontiff Francis and his nunciator for Belgium, “grave new elements have come to light” in the case of the “incestuous-sodomist-predator-EXCELLENCY-EMERITUS” Vanghelgue, 14 years after his sex abuse of his 1st nephew was exposed in the Belgian newspapers, and 13 years after his sex abuse if his 2nd nephew was exposed.
At this very late stage in the story, the “rebuttable presumption” (as they say in the courtroom), is that a bishop sodomizing the boys of his own family is definitely NOT a grave offense in the eyes of the Pontiff Francis and many (perhaps most?) of our bishops.
A case in point to drive home this presumption is to remind ourselves that the (so-called) “Society of Jesus” would not and did not expel Reverend Rupnik for sexually abusing dozens of nuns. They would only expel him for disobeying an order they gave him.
So: demonic sex abuse of boys (and nuns, or anyone), and profaning the sacrament of Holy Orders, and undermining the foundation of respect wholesomely desired and given to faithful and holy priests, and defying the Commandments of Jesus Our King = NOT A GRAVE OFFENSE.
But: insubordination to the same Pontiffs and Bishops (who show their indifference to victims of the sex abuse, their disregard for faithful priests and bishops, and their contempt for the authority of Jesus), any INSUBORDINATION AGAINST THEM is what they hold to be a GRAVE OFFENSE.
This is the sum of what’s at stake for these narcissists: their egos, and the deference “owed to them” by “underlings,” are on the line.
Their concerns are the same as the senior management in the Belgian authorities and the University of Louvain: deference and decorum must be preserved.
CiM: A home run….no, a Grand Slam!
Or, ‘The first duty of the bureaucrat is to preserve the bureaucracy.’
How does McElroy become a cardinal with his disgraceful handling of Rachel Mastrogiacomo? Big Mac pays his promoter back by carrying the papal water and making a mess. McElroy, Vangheluwe, Daneels, Rupnik. Birds of a feather seem to a protected species in the Vatican.
Does “creepyness” come in degrees? Are we all also tainted with it? Is it possible for us to discern where we stand in relation to others in our relative culpability for our own “creepyness” I have observed that throwers of stones usually live in glass houses. How strange. Oh what fools we mortals be! 🫣 Cheer up for God loves us not for what we are, but for what we could be. Yes, the Church MUST Judge, but even the judge’s feet are planted in clay.
Dear James Connor, isn’t that the same excuse the Nazi collaborators relied on?
This comment will probably not pass muster, but – in many of these abuse cases, I’ve often asked myself this – wouldn’t a well-aimed kick have been of some benefit? Followed by #2 if necessary.
Methinks that such would have been more than appropriate in ‘the case of the creepy cardinal’.
The 1st task for Pope The Next will be to begin restoring the faith of the faithful in those who are supposed to be “watching” over the flock.
Can’t those who have been abused by clergy just make it public and perhaps such victims can join together in a class action suit and maybe the Catholic legal group led by Tom Fitton offer them free legal services. It’s worth a try. Also choose men of high standards mentally, emotionally and spiritually to form seminary students. And let all those teachers be closely monitored.
Florence: Yours is a great idea but here’s another: How about the men of the town just form a posse? That should have been done just after the 1st 12 year old boy was sodomized by a cleric.
Kind of a strong suggestion from a deacon, I would think.
If you would only wear a cowboy hat, your perspective would change.
The current rot in the Church calls for a spirited response.
A darn good suggestion, “I would think,” James Connor.
Basically, what DEBP is suggesting is that when a system runs amok it generally requires a feedback loop to stabilise it.
So let’s get conversing about how we loyal-to-Christ Catholics can provide regular and persevering corrective feedback to manage the scandalously unChristian, unCatholic clergy misfeasances and malfeasances. Maybe that should be the first item on the agendas of all our current Church synods . . .
Reportage of clerical sexual abuse has to my knowledge never included the element of sacrilege the Rupnik case has — The criminal behavior of this perverted wannabe is crowned by his abuse of the elements of the Holy Eucharist in his concupiscent activity. Every tile of his mosaics should be ground to dust.
Get the jackhammers.
Yes, there have been elements of sacrilege in other cases. Although I doubt anyone has toted up a global score, I recall hearing of instances of perversion practiced on the parish altar. And the two cases of which I have personal knowledge happened in the context of catechism class for little girls.
Granted, it would be expensive to remove and replace Rupik’s hideous “art,” surely it could at least be plastered or painted over? The distinction between sinful artist and his art only fits when the art itself is beautiful. This stuff ain’t, regardless of its appeal to Those in High Places.
The laity in the pews have become numb to all this sexual abuse of minors. They do not trust the hierarchy any more. The damage has been done and will take decades to repair.
Will: God’s memory last much longer than man’s.
Armageddon, Rev 16, is a battle between Yahweh and all who who reject his sovereignty.
Yahweh wins.
All. No matter what church or religion they claim.
Going back to the Garden, we find that obedience to the rule of the sovereign is acceptance of his rulership. (“If you eat from it you will die.”)
Elsewhere, in case we missed the point, “The wages of sin is death.”
The answer to all our problems is God’s Kingdom. Per Ps 37:29, is that a good deal? If so, you should investigate your standing before it. Just to make sure, right?
There will be many surprised, as noted at Mt 7:21 ff. One surprise not mentioned there will be for those who have never considered this question or its answer: How many arks did Noah build?
All this is clarifying background to my brief answer to your comment in re “decades”.
Brief answer: Please read Mt 24:14; we don’t have decades. That should make us happy, if we’re sure we’re on God’s side.
Otherwise …
Mt 18:15-17.
From the Son of God.
Four steps; three verses.
Even for the most serious sins, notice the first goal: gain your brother.
Second goal, fair play: ‘two or three witnesses’; first-hand knowledge understood.
And, at each step, repentance and positive change also understood, to go for the next step.
Third goal, keep the congregation, and Yahweh’s name, clean. “hallowed be thy name”, isn’t it?
By now this malefactor is likely the subject of very public knowledge. So the last goal is to disassociate him and the congregation from each other.
In the time and place when our Lord spoke these words, they could mean only excommunication, (disfellowshipping in some venues).
None of these steps should take anything like 14 years.
I read recently that some Catholic site had decided to continue installing Rupnik mosaics at its site. I don’t remember where. But I am appalled. A bare wall with his mosaics ripped out and ground into dust would be most fitting. I simply couldn’t go to a place where his work is on the walls, and I certainly couldn’t worship there.
And it says everything that it took a national government in a country the Pope wants to visit to force the Vatican to do something about Vangheluwe’s status. He’ll is very real and very real people go there. Woe to those who call good evil and evil good. Please pray for the world and the country.
At this erra in church history, it is hard not to conclude that we are being shepherded by a large number of hired hands, who surrender some sheep to the wolves to ensure their own comfort, safety, status, or agenda.
One must not forget that Danneels was a member of the Saint Gallen mafia and that he boasted he was among those who lobbyied for the election of Jorge Bergoglio during the last conclave in stark contravening against the “Universis Dominici Gregis” instructions issued by the last pope JP II, punished by an “ipso facto” excommunication.
Too little, too late. This Pontificate’s credibility on the sexual abuse issue has been irrevocably destroyed due to Rupnik, Znachetta, and McCarrick. No reform will come as long as Francis remains Pope, which will hopefully not be long.
So many of you, in reply to OPs like this one, remain in your Catholic Church afterwards, it’s apparent.
Why?
Some sources estimate there are over 20,000 religions/churches in the world. Why not look around? Some will reply, ‘But the RCC was founded by Christ and is therefore the only true faith. My response is, ‘If he can’t protect it (and you) any better than he has, then your faith may be seriously misplaced.’
How sad.
Dear Doug, read The New Testament [esp. 1 Peter 1:6 & 7]
There’ve been bad apples in The Church from its start, nearly 2,000 years ago.
Only pagans demand: “What can GOD do for me!”
Catholics & other true Christians ask: “What can I do for God and for others.”
We “remain in your Catholic Church” because we experience the love of God in all things, & greatly desire to have its fullness, face-to-face eternally.
Give it a try, dear Doug. ‘Tis not to be missed.
Ever in the grace & mercy of King Jesus Christ; love & blessings from marty
My response is, ‘If [Christ] can’t protect it (and you) any better than he has, then your faith may be seriously misplaced.’
How sad.
A highly illustrative case of total misunderstanding, dear Doug!
Jesus Christ, THE LORD, is fully protecting His own, who persevere in this world, unto an eternity of bliss (life that is really Life), where the hurtful things of this earthly life will not even be a bad dream.
“Son, remember that in this life you received good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is being comforted in Heaven, while you are in agony.” see Luke 16:25.
Dear Doug, never forget: “He who laughs last, laughs best!”