BASTA!
BASTA! For several months now, this small word has been circulating among victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
It resonates especially among the “veterans”: those who, for decades, tried to engage in dialogue with the Church. We met with the highest authorities. We even met the Pope, twice!
And yet, what is essential is still missing: justice.
That is why we now say BASTA to the Church! Enough is enough. We are turning to politics and society. This is what we need:
- A victim status for victims of sexual abuse within the Church.
- A compensation fund so that no victim has to live in poverty any longer.
- An independent ombudsman to manage both the victim status and the compensation fund.
Without a compensation fund, further dialogue with the Church is pointless. Once that fund exists — financed by the Church but managed independently — we can return to the table.
If you recognize yourself in this message, join us.
Together, we form the BASTA collective.
Together, we say stop.
Together, we stand strong.
Together, we demand justice.
Gabriel, Carine, Francis, Etienne, Céline, Roland, Maité, Bavo, Maria, Leen, Anne-Sophie, Mark, Jan, Chantal, Pierre, Pierre (2), Jean, Bruno, Bruno (2), Philippe, Martine, Lukas, Franky, Carla, Claude, Henri, Anne Françoise, Chab, Violaine, Dominique, Signe, Renaud, Maria-Marinbel, Ann, Stig, Anne, Marie-Caroline, Koen, Ronny, Bart & Jean-Marc
News
Triangle Victims - Church - State
Nicolas & Francis
On 4 March victims of clerical abuse, Church representatives and the Belgian federal government will sit down together with Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden in Brussels. We will present our demands for structural solutions to government. Below is the executive summary.
Read moreEconomic Effects of ACEs
Francis
During a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with Pope Leo XIV on November 8 at the Vatican, we raised the economic cost of child sexual abuse for victims and society. The Holy Father showed little willingness to engage. Below is the executive summary.
Read moreIntroducing MAVEK
Francis
MAVEK, a new alliance of survivors and supporters of clerical abuse in Belgium, aligns with BASTA’s push for concrete justice. Uniting multiple victim groups it demands independent oversight, official victim status and a Church-funded reparations fund, strengthening pressure for government action.
Read moreLetter To The Pope 6/6
Francis
In 2024 and 2025 one of BASTA!’s founding members wrote several letters to Pope Francis after meeting him, urging real change instead of empty words. Unexpectedly the Pope replied in writing. BASTA! now publishes this correspondence in its entirety.
Read moreDocu: Letter To The Pope
Francis
Recently we attended a pre-screening of Brief aan de Paus, airing March 3 on CANVAS. It reviews developments since Godvergeten, questions fulfilled promises, shows abuse crossed language borders, strengthened our resolve and calls for broader public support to achieve real action.
Read moreLetter To The Pope 5/6
Francis
After a year of correspondence and proposals we issued a final report showing no real progress, lowering the score to zero. We asked whether the new Pope would continue his predecessor’s commitment. After meeting him I concluded he had stepped back.
Read moreWhy we say BASTA!
Enough because… these clerical denials and lies have broken us. Everything that is hidden will be brought into the light, and everything that is secret will be made known (Matt 10:26) - Marie-Caroline
One observation: the Church remains a monolithic block incapable of fully accepting responsibility for the sexual crimes committed within it. ENOUGH! Jean-Marc
Those responsible and those guilty must be judged and condemned! Shut up, and ENOUGH! Henri