Belgian police raid archbishop's home in sex-abuse investigation

Prosecutors said the searches followed "a number of statements related to sexual abuse of children within the church."

Offers were seen carrying boxes from the former archbishop's office and nearby St. Rombout Cathedral in the city of Mechlin, just north of Brussels. On April 26, Belgium's longest-serving bishop, Roger Vangheluwe, resigned after admitting to having sexually abused a young boy.

Police and prosecutors would not say if the former archbishop was suspected of abuse himself or simply had records pertaining to allegations against another person.

Searches were also made of the office of a committee that is investigating sexual abuse claims with help from the church.

The committee has already opened 120 cases but expects the number to soon double.

Police took documents, but did not question the archbishop at his home, said his spokesman.

"They did take away his computer," he said, adding he was fully co-operating.

"The cardinal believes justice must run its normal course. He has nothing against that."

Cardinal Danneels was a leading liberal voice in Europe's church before he retired in January.

But he returned to the limelight when, in April 26, Belgium's longest-serving bishop, Roger Vangheluwe, resigned after admitting to having sexually abused a young boy during the time that Danneels was archbishop.

The resignation led a former priest, Rik Deville, to say that he warned the cardinal at least 15 years ago that Vangheluwe had abused a boy. Cardinal Danneels said in April: "I cannot remember such a discussion."

The sex abuse scandal has engulfed the church in Europe – and beyond – for months, with reports of abuse in seminaries, schools and other church-run institutions. Reports that priests have abused children or bishops have covered up for them have outraged the faithful.

The scandal has touched the Pope's German homeland.

In his most recent remarks earlier this month, Pope Benedict begged forgiveness from victims and promised at a mass to "do everything possible" to protect children.