Belgian bishop resigns over sex abuse case

BRUSSELS - A bishop in the Belgian city of Bruges has resigned over a sexual abuse case, the Belga news agency reported Friday, quoting a relative of the prelate.

However, no details were known of the events that led Roger Vangheluwe, 74, to quit after serving for 25 years as bishop of Bruges.

A press conference has been announced at 1000 GMT in Brussels by the Archbishop of Belgium, Andre Leonard, and the bishop of Tournai, Guy Harpigny, who sit on the committee dealing with sex abuse allegations in the Belgian Catholic Church.

The head of the panel, Professor Peter Adriaenssens, is also expected to attend.

Official confirmation of the resignation is set to be given simultaneously at 1000 GMT by the Vatican in Rome, according to the Belgian newspaper Le Soir.