Pope Francis Concludes Controversial Belgium Visit

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis concluded his tumultuous visit to Belgium on Sunday with a reaffirmation of his longstanding views on issues surrounding women and abortion, simultaneously urging Catholic bishops to cease their complicity in shielding predator priests. This persistent scandal has significantly undermined the church’s global credibility and trust.

Revisiting Controversial Topics

During his in-flight press conference on the return journey, Francis revisited the key contentious issues that dominated his Belgium trip. He praised Belgium’s late King Baudouin, labeling him a “saint” for having abdicated his throne for a day in 1990 rather than assent to a legislative measure that would have legalized abortion. “You need a politician who wears pants to do this,” Francis quipped using a Spanish idiom. “You must have courage,” he stressed, indicating that Baudouin’s beatification process is progressing well.

His comments drew backlash from some quarters in Belgium, particularly after he prayed at Baudouin’s tomb and referred to the abortion law as “homicidal,” especially in the context of ongoing political debates in Belgium regarding proposals to extend the legal abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks. “Doctors who perform abortions are — allow me the word — hitmen. They are hitmen,” Francis asserted emphatically, stating, “And this is not up for debate. You are terminating a human life.”

Continued Discussion on Abortion

This latest in-flight exchange marked the second occasion within weeks that Francis faced inquiries about his stance on abortion. Earlier this month, when returning from Asia and asked about the impending U.S. election, he advised voters to select the “lesser evil” between a candidate who proposes to deport migrants and another who endorses abortion rights — an apparent reference to Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

Addressing Clergy Abuse Within the Church

Utilizing his solitary Mass in Belgium, Francis made a forceful public demand for accountability regarding priests who abuse minors, insisting that the ecclesiastical hierarchy put an end to the cover-ups surrounding such heinous acts. He expressed heartfelt appreciation for the survivors of abuse who bravely came forward, delivering improvised remarks to an audience of approximately 30,000 at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels.

“Evil must not be concealed. It must be exposed to the light,” Francis proclaimed, receiving enthusiastic applause as the crowd absorbed the significance of his words.

Straying from his scripted homily on this occasion, Francis acknowledged the profound impact of a meeting he held with 17 abuse survivors just a night before. He listened intently to their harrowing stories of trauma and the church’s often inadequate responses when they sought justice. Belgium has faced a grim legacy of abuse scandals and cover-ups, with the case of Bruges Bishop Roger Vangheluwe epitomizing the hypocrisy within the Catholic Church. After admitting to abusing his nephew for 13 years, he quietly retired in 2010, and it took until this year for Francis to finally defrock him — a decision perceived as an overdue recognition of the problem.

The victims handed Pope Francis a letter outlining several critical requests, notably the establishment of a universal church reparations system, as many lament that the financial settlements received from the church barely cover the therapeutic costs they desperately need. “We bear the responsibility to support the abused and provide necessary care,” he said, acknowledging the inadequacy of the capped civil settlement amounts, which he estimated to be around 50,000 euros. “Some require psychological assistance; we must extend help in that regard.”

Francis’ Visit Met with Criticism

Pope Francis’ visit to Belgium had always been fraught with challenges, especially considering the nation’s history of clerical sexual abuse scandals and the broader trends of secularization that have drained attendance from its grand churches and cathedrals. However, it remains unclear whether Francis and his entourage accurately anticipated the intensity of the public outrage and the specific calls for reform coming from Belgium’s intellectual community.

The primary purpose of his visit was to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Leuven/Louvain Catholic University, revered as the oldest Catholic university globally and historically viewed as the Vatican’s intellectual stronghold in Belgium. Yet, upon his arrival, the rector of the Dutch-speaking campus voiced to Francis that the abuse crisis had severely tarnished the church’s moral authority. He advised that substantive reform is crucial for the church to regain its credibility and significance. Luc Sels proposed that increasing the roles of women, potentially even in the priesthood, along with being more inclusive of LGBTQ+ Catholics, would be prudent avenues for consideration.

A Call for Change

Echoes of this sentiment were found at the French-speaking campus, where students staged a reading of a thought-provoking critique of Francis’ environmental encyclical “Praised Be,” articulating a need for a “paradigm shift” in the church’s perspective on women. They highlighted that the encyclical almost entirely overlooks female contributions, fails to reference any female theologians, and ultimately perpetuates women’s “invisibility” both in the church and broader society. The longstanding grievances of women regarding their second-class status within the church have persisted, as they are often excluded from both the priesthood and positions of authority despite their significant contributions to education, healthcare, and faith propagation.

Pope Francis, who is now an 87-year-old Argentine Jesuit, indicated appreciation for their intentions but reiterated his familiar stance that women are “fertile” nurturers who complement men, insisting that “the church is woman.” His remarks prompted a notable reprimand from the Catholic university responsible for his invitation. Following his talk, Louvain issued a statement expressing its “incomprehension and disapproval” regarding his views on women’s roles, labeling them “deterministic and reductive.” Rector Françoise Smets stated categorically, “We cannot align ourselves with his position. We are combating discrimination against women, and it is imperative that women take on more significant roles within both church and society.”

In-Flight Press Conference Highlights

During the in-flight press conference, Pope Francis again doubled down on his steadfast views regarding women and directed criticism at the Louvain students, implying that their issued statement was “pre-made” and promptly disseminated following his remarks. Francis contended that the focus on women seeking ordained ministry was misdirected, claiming that women already hold a pivotal role within the church. “I consistently speak about the dignity of women, and there is one thing I can assert regarding women that I cannot about men: The church embodies womanhood,” he told reporters. “Women hold greater importance than men, for the church embodies femininity.”

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Conclusion

The implications of Pope Francis’ visit extend beyond his statements and criticisms. They highlight a critical juncture for the Catholic Church as it grapples with internal crises of credibility and accountability. The pressure for reform, the urgent need for reparative justice, and the demand for greater inclusivity could dictate the direction the church takes in the future. As it stands, how the church responds to these pressing issues will be pivotal in shaping its legacy and fortifying trust among its followers and the broader community.

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