MECHELEN (BELGIUM)
VRT / FlandersNews.be [Brussels, Belgium]
September 24, 2024
There is likely to be another parliamentary committee of enquiry into sexual abuse by Roman Catholic clergy. The committee will concentrate on investigating whether there are any irregularities in Operation Chalice, the criminal investigation into sexual abuse in the Church. With all the parties currently involved in the federal coalition talks having agreed to the setting up of a commission of enquiry, it seems almost certain that one will be set up.
Following the broadcast of ‘Godvergeten’ (Forgotten by God), a VRT documentary series about sexual abuse committed by clergy here in Belgium, 2 parliamentary committees, 1 federal and 1 Flemish, were set up. Now it seems a near-certainty that a third will follow.
The committee of enquiry will look specifically into irregularities in the Operation Chalice invesigation. Operation Chalice is a major criminal investigation into child abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in Belgium.
Critical report
The setting up of new committee of enquiry was 1 of 137 recommendations made in the spring by the previous federal committee of enquiry. In April the Supreme Judicial Council published a critical report about the way Operation Chalice has been conducted. Then there was too little time before the election for parliament to discuss the report in depth.
Speaking on VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme ‘De ochtend’, the Flemish nationalist MP Sophie De Wit said that the report spoke of several issues arising from the way in which Operation Chalice was conducted and it makes a number of recommendations. However, with parliament about to be dissolved ahead of the elections, MPs didn’t have time to scruntinse the report thoroughly.
The Supreme Judicial Council’s report says that there are ‘indications’ of pressure being exerted by the Church and issues between some of magistrates involved in the investigation.
“In the new committee of enquiry we will focus on Operation Chalice. We will be able to hold hearings with people from the judiciary and other parties involved”, Ms De Wit said.
However, the fact that the Operation Chalice investigation is still ongoing could pose issues regarding the confidentially that applies as long as an investigation is still ongoing.
Big majority in favour
In addition to the 5 parties involved in the federal coalition talks (Flemish nationalists, Flemish Christian democrats, Flemish socialists, francophone liberals and Francophone centrists), the Flemish liberals, Flemish and Francophone greens and the Francophone socialists have all also said that they support the setting up of a new committee of enquiry.