Letter To The Pope 2/6

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

After meeting Pope Francis in Brussels, I felt it necessary to follow up in writing. Many victims left that meeting with cautious hope, but also with doubts about whether anything concrete would change.

In December of 2025, the Belgian Bishops presented a new plan of action, providing a good opportunity for a first evaluation based on the four criteria outlined in my earlier letter. That was the purpose of this second letter.

I also recalled how moved I was by an emotional intervention in Brussels, when an older gentleman said, “For many of us, reparations will come long after we’re buried.” I concluded by asking the Pope to inspire urgency among the Belgian Bishops and to formally accept our request to meet him in Rome.

All letters were delivered through diplomatic post via the Nunciature.

Read the full letter below, dated December 8th, 2024

Your Holiness,

Thank you for your response to my letter of early October, which I received in good order through the Nunciature in Brussels.

Yesterday, some of the abuse victims you met on September 27th in Brussels gathered again to discuss the Belgian Bishops’ new plan of action.

In my last letter, I offered to evaluate how you turn your good intentions into concrete actions in these 4 matters:

• 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.

As it stands today, I can only give you a good score on the last point. Your response to my letter fills me with hope, but your score remains: 1/4. The Belgian Bishops’ plan addresses the first three points but lacks urgency and concrete actions.

Yesterday, an older gentleman captured the sentiment best, saying with tears, “For many of us, reparations will come long after we’re buried.”

The plan, though well-intentioned and clearly the result of great effort, lacks decisiveness. It makes it too easy to hide behind politics & bureaucracy.

This is why I urge you to inspire urgency and action in your clergy.

This letter is a simple report and doesn’t require a response. A separate letter from the victims you met on September 27th will request a formal invitation to visit you in Rome during Easter. Please respond positively to that letter.

When we met, you asked about my sons. One born and one due in January. I may not make it to Rome at Easter but greatly appreciate the invitation. Wishing you all the best, from Francis to Francis, - December 8th, 2024