In an unprecedented move, Belgian police opened the graves of two former Belgian Archbishops.  According to Belgian police officials, the graves were opened because police suspected they contained potentially incriminating evidence relating to the ongoing Catholic sex abuse scandal.  The action has caused a stir in Belgium and condemnation from the Vatican.  According to the Dallas Morning News, "Investigators also opened the graves of two archbishops in the St. Rombouts Cathedral in Mechlin, north of Brussels, looking for possibly incriminating documents, said Jean-Marc Meilleur, spokesman for the Brussels public prosecutor."

The Vatican was quick to condemn the police action calling it a "violation" of a sacred place.  While there are certain instances in this country where a body has been disinterred for the purposed of an ongoing criminal investigation, this action in Belgium is unprecedented and one may wonder if it's appropriate.  Burial places, especially those contained within a church are sacred places and should never be disturbed, unless grave circumstances warrant such an action.  Of course, I'm not privy to the information the Belgian police have that spurred such a move.  However, one would hope they made their decision to open the graves after careful consideration and after exhausting all other options.