Belgian bishop turns down cardinal role over sexual abuse criticism
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis has accepted a request by a Belgian bishop to not be made a cardinal as a result of it would harm the sentiments of victims of sexual abuse, the Belgian bishops convention stated on Thursday.
The convention stated the pope’s determination to call Luc Van Looy, the bishop emeritus of Ghent, a cardinal had acquired “many optimistic reactions” but in addition criticism that as bishop of Ghent “he didn’t at all times react vigorously sufficient towards abuses”.
“To be able to forestall victims of such abuses from being harm once more on account of his cardinalate, Bishop Van Looy requested the Pope to dispense together with his acceptance of the appointment. Pope Francis agreed to his request,” the assertion stated.
Van Looy is 80 and thus wouldn’t be eligible to enter a conclave to elect the following pope after Francis dies or resigns. The place of cardinal for him is usually honorific.
Francis introduced final month he would appoint 21 new cardinals, together with 16 beneath the age of 80.
(Reporting by Philip Pullella, modifying by Deepa Babington)
