Belgian bishop quits after admitting abuse

[April 23, 2010]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- Belgium's longest serving bishop has stepped down after admitting to sexually abusing a young boy.

The resignation of 73-year-old Roger Vangheluwe, the Bishop of Bruges, is the first in Belgium since a child abuse scandal began engulfing the Roman Catholic Church in recent months.

His resignation was announced at a news conference by Belgium's Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard Friday.

He said Vangheluwe's resignation shows the Catholic Church in Belgium wants to "resolutely turn a page on a very painful" topic.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.