This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8639253.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Belgian Catholic bishop 'resigns' Belgian Catholic bishop resigns
(about 1 hour later)
A Belgian bishop has resigned in connection with the abuse scandal that has shaken the Catholic Church, local media reports say. The bishop of the Belgian city of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe, has resigned after admitting sexual abuse of a boy earlier in his career.
The name of the bishop and the details of the case are due to be given in a press conference by the Belgian episcopal conference. Bishop Vangheluwe said the abuse had happened when he was a simple priest and continued when he started as a bishop, a Vatican statement said.
The move would be the latest in a series of bishops' resignations. The Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI had accepted the resignation.
The Church has come under severe pressure over child sexual abuse allegations emerging across the world. The Catholic Church has come under severe pressure over child sexual abuse allegations emerging across the world.
In Germany, where recent allegations have caused widespread anger, Church figures were expected to participate in a round-table discussion about widespread abuse in schools, mainly in the 1970s and 1980s. Bishop Vangheluwe's decision to quit is the latest in a series of resignations to be offered or accepted.
It was announced on Thursday that the German bishop of Augsburg, who had been accused of beating children at a Catholic children's home during those decades, had offered his resignation to the Pope Benedict XVI. It was announced on Thursday that the German Bishop of Augsburg, who had been accused of beating children at a Catholic children's home in the 1970s and 1980s, had tendered his resignation.
Bishop Walter Mixa, who has not been accused of sexual abuse, has also been under pressure over allegations of finanicial irregularities at a children's school under his responisibility. Bishop Walter Mixa, who has not been accused of sexual abuse, has also been under pressure over allegations of financial irregularities at a children's school under his responsibility.
This week the Pope accepted the resignation of Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare in Ireland and US Bishop John Favalora of Miami, both in connection with abuse cases. This week the Pope also accepted the resignation of Bishop James Moriarty of Kildare in Ireland and US Bishop John Favalora of Miami, both in connection with abuse cases.
The Pope said on Wednesday the Church was taking "action" over abuse against children by priests, in his most direct remarks to date on the recent allegations.The Pope said on Wednesday the Church was taking "action" over abuse against children by priests, in his most direct remarks to date on the recent allegations.
Meanwhile in Germany, where recent allegations have caused widespread anger, Church figures were expected to participate in a round-table discussion about widespread abuse in schools.