The Telegraph
April 15, 2011
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/8454966/Belgian-ex-bishop-denies-paedophilia-despite-admitting-abuse.html
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| Bishop Vangheluwe during an interview with Belgian television channel VT4 Photo: REUTERS |
Roger Vangheluwe, 74, the former bishop of Bruges, said the abuse he committed was only "superficial".
"I don't have the impression at all that I am a paedophile. It was really just a small relationship. I did not have the feeling that my nephew was against it, quite the contrary," he said.
He left Belgium last week under Vatican orders to seek "spiritual and psychological treatment" abroad and Belgian media say he is now in a French monastery. The Vatican has said the final decision on disciplining him lies with Pope Benedict.
Vangheluwe admitted abusing one of his nephews over a 13-year period, until the boy was 18, and a second nephew for a period of 12 months.
Stefaan De Clercq, Belgium's justice minister, said: "The Church must take up this case and see what sanction it should impose. It should be much more severe and much more complete than what has been said up until now.
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