By Barbara Dorris

Off to Brussels! Took the train through the tunnel and under the channel. Went pretty fast – it was a beautiful ride through the country side. As we came into France there were three hot air balloons floating over the fields. Looked like a picture postcard.
We are in Brussels! (A beautiful city with very friendly people.) A supporter from a small university town  a short train ride away met us and shared many stories with us. She has documents about abuse cases and the cover-up by the church.  Survivors had come to the church for help and the church was trying to turn them away without any help or even therapy. There is a growing network of survivors and supporters who are willing and able to speak out.

Victims face many of the same challenges here as anywhere else, the statute of limitations. In Belgium the church is supported by the government. The amount of money they receive is dependent on the number of people who register as Catholic.  (the same is true in Germany and several other countries) Priests are paid by the government  which in some small way makes the priests more independent.

We also talked with a survivor who wants to actively reach out to others in Brussels. He has had buttons printed that says “From victim to survivor” We will meet with a larger group tomorrow including Bert from the Netherlands.

The World Cup is in full swing in Europe. On Saturday the USA played England resulting in a tie game. The English are very quick to point out they did not lose to the Americans, a fate worse than death. At our hotel they have inflated a 10 foot high soccer ball and low and behold there was SNAP right along all the other autographs.