Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Keizersberg Abbey in Leuven faces allegations of misbehavior among its monks, leading to the Archdiocese of Mechelen’s temporary closure. Four remaining monks will relocate to other abbeys amid investigations.
Keizersberg Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Leuven, is dealing with allegations of bad behavior among its monks. The abbey, which used to have many monks, now only has four living in a separate area. It has been said that this situation has brought negative attention to this historic religious place.
How is Keizersberg Abbey balancing modern innovation and recent abuse complaints?
Keizersberg Abbey has been transformed into a modern space that hosts entrepreneurs, creative workers, and artists. This change has turned the abbey into a center for innovation, blending its historic charm with contemporary uses. Some parts of the building also serve as student housing, offering a unique living experience. While these updates have made the abbey a lively community spot, recent complaints have shifted the focus back to its original religious mission and the challenges of preserving that mission.
Leuven’s public prosecutor’s office is working with the federal prosecutor’s office on complaints about sexual abuse in the Church. If a complaint is serious, it gets sent to the Leuven office for further investigation. Public prosecutor Sarah Callewaert confirmed that a report will be examined on 21 November. The Archdiocese of Mechelen has announced the temporary closure of the Keizersberg community in Leuven due to these complaints and previous issues within the monk community. As a result, the four monks will have to move to other abbeys.
