Reports are coming in that Belgian police have searched the offices of Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard, the head of the Catholic church there, in search of evidence about child abuse. This follows the resignation earlier this year of the Bishop of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe, who admitted to abusing a boy more than 20 years ago. The church commission which is investigating another 20 allegations was also raided today; earlier its chairman had said that the church was not taking all its complaints seriously.
UPDATED: It turns out the police raided the office of Cardinal Danneels, as well as that of his successor, Archbishop Léonard, and confiscated the Cardinal's computer. A Flemish source reports they searched the crypt of Malines (Mechelen) cathedral, too. The Cardinal was not formally questioned, and his spokesman said he was happy to co-operate with the secular authorities.
