Vatican protests to Belgium over police raids

THE Vatican yesterday protested to Belgium over raids carried out on Church offices and the home of a cardinal by investigators looking into sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests.

In a statement, the Vatican expressed “shock” at the way the raids were carried out and “indignation” at what it said was the violation of two cardinals’ tombs. It said Belgium’s ambassador to the Vatican was delivered a formal protest by the Vatican’s foreign minister.

Investigators on Thursday raided two main Church offices and the home of a former archbishop, taking away computers and files in a search for evidence.