A documentary has caused an uproar in Belgium with testimonies of victims who were sexually abused by priests and church people.

The Flemish public television VRT brings to the fore both the descriptions of the victims, but also the responsibilities of some senior officials in Belgium, such as Roger Van Gelue, who was a former bishop of Bruges. In 2010, Roger Van Gelweh admitted to sexually abusing his nephew, Mark.

The VRT documentary reveals a conversation between the two and Cardinal Godfried Danels, whose reaction has also caused a backlash. “I’m sorry, I hear you’re asking for forgiveness,” Cardinal Godfried Dannels says to Roger Van Gelue, who replies, “I beg your pardon, if you can forgive me.” Cardinal Godfried Dannels goes on to say: “As I see you, you too suffer from this and not just Mark.” The victim, Mark Van Gelue questions him in turn “why do you feel sorry for him and not me?”

As Roger Van Gelweh points out he was never punished by the Vatican. Today he retains the title of priest and bishop. After the documentary aired, the bishops’ conference asked him to step down.

For years, the conference has been asking Rome to take specific actions without success so far. “The events were largely on the record,” recalls Tommy Solte, a spokesman for the Belgian bishops, adding that “it is necessary that Roger Van Geluwe is no longer a bishop and no longer a priest.”

Alongside, the majority of political parties request the establishment of a commission of inquiry.

Finally, the rtl network notes that today Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Crook and Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborn they will meet with representatives of victims of sexual abuse committed by priests, as well as with the bishop of Antwerp, Johann Boni.