Letter To The Pope 1/6

This letter is part of a series: 1/6 · 2/6 · 3/6 · 4/6 · 5/6 · 6/6

In 2024 and 2025 I wrote several letters to Pope Francis after meeting him in September in Brussels, urging real change instead of empty words. Unexpectedly, the Pope replied in writing. I now publish this correspondence in full.

In this first letter dated October 1st I thank Pope Francis because at the time I believed he genuinely wanted to help the victims. I propose to evaluate how the Belgian Bishops’ were dealing matters of sexual abuse & periodically update him on the progress.

This evaluation took the form of a test on four points. I also remind him that he promised to meet us again in Rome. Read the full letter below.

Your Holiness,

I’m writing you to express my gratitude for receiving me on Friday the 27th at the Nunciature in Brussels.

Your humility and humanity in meeting with the victims has restored a good amount of trust. I would describe the attitude among the victims you met as “Trust but verify”.

I believe the intentions you expressed in these four matters are sincere:

• To offer better assistance for the psycho-medical treatment of victims.
• To offer better financial compensations to the victims.
• To punish both perpetrators of abuse and those who cover up.
• To offer a direct line of contact through the Nunciature if necessary.

Now the question is: will your good intentions reach us here at the base? Let’s test this! I will observe three abuse cases close to me that can act as test cases. The fourth test, of course, is this letter itself, awaiting your reply.

During our meeting you seemed to agree with our proposal of meeting again in Rome to evaluate your Bishops’ progress. I would be happy to assist in such a meeting, if invited.

Independent of this meeting in Rome, I will report back to you in about 6 months.

Wishing you all the best, from Francis to Francis - Letter sent to Pope Francis on October 1st, 2024