Benedictine Abbey in Belgium temporarily dissolved following abuse allegations

Leuven, Belgium, Jul 16, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The Benedictine community at Keizersberg Abbey in Leuven, Belgium, has been temporarily dissolved following allegations of abusive behavior among adults, according to an official declaration released by the head of the Sublacense-Cassinese Benedictine Congregation.

Abbot President Ignasi M. Fossas, OSB, announced sweeping disciplinary measures affecting multiple monasteries in the Flemish-Dutch province, including the suspension of community life at Keizersberg Abbey and the temporary prohibition of public ministry for several monks. 

“The archdiocese is not publishing any statement on Keizersberg,” the press office said in response to a request from CNA, referring to the abbey’s comprehensive statement.

In his declaration, Fossas announced an extraordinary canonical visitation of all monasteries in the Flemish-Dutch province, including Dendermonde, Affligem, Steenbrugge, and Doetinchem/Slangenburg. The comprehensive review aims to verify the situation of each community and ensure effective governance structures.

“The work of the visitation may continue for several months,” Fossas stated in the official document released from Rome.

The extraordinary measures follow a canonical visitation that began in 2022 and was completed in January as well as a commission of inquiry into abuse allegations established in November 2024.

Community life suspended, multiple disciplinary actions taken

The four remaining monks at Keizersberg Abbey have been required to relocate to other abbeys since November 2024, when Fossas first suspended the community’s common life. Each monk maintains a residence imposed by the abbot president, and the situation will be reviewed during the ongoing extraordinary visitation.

According to Belgian media reports, complaints were filed with the Church’s reporting center for sexual abuse, which forwarded the case to federal prosecutors. The Leuven prosecutor’s office confirmed receiving the case for detailed review.

The investigation has resulted in several disciplinary measures across the province.

At Keizersberg Abbey:

— A monk has been temporarily suspended from diaconal ministry due to “defects of form in his ordination to the diaconate.”

— The same individual is prohibited from any public activity as a Benedictine monk as a precautionary measure.

— His case will be presented to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for final determination.

At Doetinchem/Slangenburg:

— The abbot has been suspended from his office as a precautionary measure.

— He is prohibited from public exercise of priestly ministry.

— His dossier will also be forwarded to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life for decision.

Fossas emphasized that the allegations do not involve sexual abuse of minors but rather “transgressive behavior between adults.” He described the situation as revealing “personal and structural fragility” affecting the monasteries in various ways.

“The canonical measures decided are precautionary and not punitive,” Fossas explained. “They are temporary measures that suspend the exercise of a ministry, but do not suppress it, until the corresponding legislative body gives a conclusion.”

Keizersberg Abbey, located above the Vaartkom in Leuven, has been operating with only four monks in a separate wing. The remainder of the large complex continues to house entrepreneurs, creative professionals, artists, and student housing.

The Abbey of Affligem, also part of the investigation, was found to have “no concrete evidence of abusive behavior that constitutes criminal offenses,” though the small number of monks poses “canonical and structural difficulties” that the congregation will address.

Apology and commitment to justice

In his declaration, Fossas expressed “sadness, shame, and pain for the harm caused to the victims” and offered sincere apologies while making himself available to assist within his possibilities.

He emphasized his determination to continue the reform process begun at the start of his service and expressed “full availability of the Benedictines to collaborate with the judicial authority.”

The abbot president also acknowledged the complexity of the situation, noting that while the process highlights failings in some individuals and governance structures, “we must take note of the fidelity, goodness, and self-denial of many other monks in living their vocation to serve the Church and society.”

The extraordinary canonical visitation is expected to continue for several months as Church authorities work to address the structural and personal issues identified in the investigation.

“The canonical visitation continues, but it will take a long time because it involves several monasteries,” a press spokesperson for the abbot told CNA in a statement Monday.

Fossas concluded his statement by acknowledging the gravity of his decisions and the pain they may cause but maintained they are “necessary to be able to offer light, truth, justice, reparation, and hope to all those involved.”

The case represents one of the most significant disciplinary actions taken against a Benedictine province in recent years, as the Catholic Church continues to address allegations of abuse and implement reforms to prevent future incidents.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265349/benedictine-abbey-in-belgium-temporarily-dissolved-following-abuse-allegations