Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Rik Devillé is disappointed by Robert Francis Prevost’s appointment as Pope due to abuse cover-up allegations. Canon law expert Rik Torfs defends Prevost, questioning the accusations. The new Pope Leo XIV’s stance remains unclear on key issues.
As Hbvl and VRT News reported, Rik Devillé, a Belgian priest, is very disappointed that Robert Francis Prevost was chosen as the new pope. Devillé has always supported people who were affected by sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. He thinks this choice is a step backwards for the Church’s attempts to fix its past mistakes.
A big group of American victims says Prevost helped cover up abuse cases. Devillé believes someone with those accusations shouldn’t be in charge of the Church because it affects the fight for justice and honesty that abuse victims want. He thinks the Church isn’t handling these accusations well, showing a lack of responsibility and missing a chance to make important changes.
Will Pope Leo XIV address issues or stay silent?
Not everyone agrees with Devillé’s concerns. Rik Torfs, a canon law expert, shared a different view on the radio show ‘Goeiemorgen Morgen!’. Torfs said the accusations against Prevost come from right-wing groups trying to affect his chances of becoming pope.
He argued that someone with a questionable reputation couldn’t be considered for such a big job without being thoroughly checked. Torfs thinks the rumours are more about political moves than real accusations.
He believes the allegations are probably exaggerated and don’t affect whether Prevost is suitable for the position. Torfs said if the accusations were true, it would be too risky to make him the leader. However, he trusts that Prevost was properly checked.
The church lawyer has a lot of respect for Rik Deville, who has worked hard to help people who have been affected by abuse in the Church. While the lawyer thinks Deville’s efforts are important, they also say we need to be careful when making accusations.
The Church generally believes in being fair and doing thorough investigations before making any decisions. Officials mentioned that this approach highlights the need to balance helping victims with maintaining the integrity of the Church’s legal and moral processes. It’s about ensuring justice for victims while also upholding fairness and proper procedures.
Tors is curious but unsure about the new Pope, Pope Leo XIV. He hasn’t said where he stands on big issues like women’s roles. Leo XIV has also been careful about talking about homosexuality. Because of this, people don’t know what he’ll do.
