Father J.H., aged 93, has resigned from the board of the prestigious Verbiest Institute, confirmed by KU Leuven, to which the institute is affiliated, as reported by De Standaard.
The priest faced controversy in October 2024 following allegations of inappropriate sexual behaviour made by a researcher at the institute.
The Verbiest Institute, formally known as the Ferdinand Verbiest Institute KU Leuven for Sino-Mongolian Studies, focuses on exploring and maintaining historical and contemporary relations between China, Europe, and the church.
After the allegations surfaced, the institute’s board requested the priest’s resignation, but he refused.
Consequently, nearly all other board members resigned themselves. KU Leuven, which has representatives on the board, indicated it was deliberating on possible actions to address the situation.
The university subsequently sent a letter to Vatican City as it became clear that trust in the priest was lost. KU Leuven could not take direct action since the priest was not an employee.
The priest’s superiors, the Missionaries of Scheut, also urged his resignation, and KU Leuven confirmed that his resignation took effect on 22 April.
