VATICAN CITY (CNS) Saying he did not want to add to the suffering of survivors of clerical sexual abuse who criticized his appointment as a cardinal, retired Bishop Lucas Van Looy of Ghent, Belgium, asked Pope Francis to withdraw his nomination, and the pope agreed.
The Belgian bishops conference issued a statement June 16 announcing the decision and thanking Bishop Van Looy for making the request.
Pope Francis announcement May 29 that Bishop Van Looy would be among the 21 cardinals he in
Retired Bishop Lucas Van Looy will not become a cardinal after survivors of clergy sexual abuse criticized his nomination. A bishops statement cited criticism that he