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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 Renounce?
Francis
In 2023 Godvergeten triggered a record 14,251 renunciations. In 2024 the number dropped to 4,780. The outrage faded but the abuse didn’t. Every renunciation sends a message to both the Church and the state: enough. Here is why it matters and why we need more.
Read moreLetter To The Pope 4/6
Francis
After Pope Francis died we wrote quickly to his successor, Pope Leo, to continue the dialogue begun in Brussels. Signed by all fifteen survivors the letter stresses urgency due to the victims’ age and asks whether he will show the same courage as his predecessor.
Read moreBook Recommendation
Francis
The series Godvergeten shook Flanders by exposing abuse within the Church. Jan Puype recounts the violence he suffered as a child, his fight for recognition, his meetings with two popes and the book in which he publishes these facts from damning official documents.
Read moreLetter To The Pope 3/6
Francis
After receiving the Pope’s invitation to meet again in Rome I sent an Easter report card based on four criteria. Despite some steps I found no real urgency or progress, kept the score unchanged, recalled fears justice may come too late and urged action.
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