Letter To The Pope 6/6

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

This sequence of letters ultimately culminated in the handing over of a now-infamous letter formally requesting the removal of Mgr. Terlinden from office.

Out of respect for the time of the other participants, we chose not to interrupt the flow of the meeting and therefore postponed handing over this letter until the very end. This was a deliberate decision. Sometimes someone must stand up and dare to say what many others are thinking but do not feel able, or permitted, to express. The Group of 15, as constituted, did not represent the vast majority of victims, and we believed it was important that this broader reality be voiced respectfully and clearly.

That this concern was widely shared is evident from the fact that eleven of the fifteen members ultimately signed the document before it was published in the media. The initiative therefore did not arise from a single individual, but from a substantial majority within the group.

When His Holiness explained that “the idea of the Church is that the local Bishops are the ones who lead this whole process…”, I felt compelled, respectfully, to interject. I said:

Your Holiness, I would like to take the occasion to say something, because now several times you have heard us ask you specifically to put pressure on the Belgian Bishops. We have talked specifically about the lack of empathy of Mgr. Terlinden, and I would like to present you with a formal request to remove him from office, or at the very least remove him from this duty, please, this is not the correct person to deal with this subject. He is simply not qualified. This is signed by many among us, and I would like to present this to you.

This letter is therefore submitted in that same spirit: respectful, measured, but firm, and intended to convey concerns shared by a silent majority who were not represented in the room.

Your Holiness,

We write to you with respect, in accordance with Canon 212 §3 ¹, which affirms the right and at times the duty of the faithful to make known to the sacred pastors concerns that relate to the good of the Church.

The current governance of the Archbishop Terlinden has caused ongoing harm to survivors of abuse, to the faithful, and to the Church itself. His approach to the abuse crisis has been characterized by a lack of empathy, a lack of decisiveness, and a leadership approach focused on protecting the institution rather than repairing the harm done.

This absence of a policy guided by empathy has led to a persistent situation in which survivors are left without clarity or support, while the faithful are prevented from returning their focus to spiritual life and community.

Moreover, his continued presence in office actively obstructs the sincere and compassionate work of well-meaning individuals at the base of the Church who strive to accompany those who suffer. The result is discouragement, division, and a continued inability for the Church to heal.

This situation corresponds to the circumstances described in Canon 1378 §2 ², concerning harmful omission in governance. Furthermore, since an archbishop is the pastor of his diocese (cf. Canon 381 §1 ^{3 4}), the principles of Canons 1740–1747 apply: a pastor may be removed from office when his ministry causes grave detriment to the community, even in the absence of personal misconduct.

For these reasons, and out of concern for the dignity of survivors, the unity of the Church, and the well-being of the community of the faithful, we respectfully request that the Holy See consider the removal of the Archbishop from his pastoral office. Failing removal, at least relieve him of his duties as point of contact for victims.

We place our confidence in Your Holiness’s discernment and judgment in this matter.

With respectful regard, The Survivors - Signed by 11/15 members of the “Group of 15”, handed over in person to Pope Leo by me, Francis, on November 8th 2025