Vatican City, Jun 28 (IANS/AKI): Pope Benedict XVI has criticised as "surprising and deplorable" the controversial raids conducted by Belgian police investigating alleged child sex abuse.

In a message to Belgian bishops Sunday, the pope expressed solidarity "in this moment of sadness".

Benedict was sending a clear message to the head of the Belgian bishops' conference, Andre-Joseph Leonard, expressing his solidarity.

Belgian police raided the home and offices of a retired archbishop, as well as the grave-site of at least one other former prelate.

Church officials said authorities detained Belgium's nine current bishops for nine hours, while seizing their cell phones as the raids unfolded.

Belgian authorities said the bishops were treated normally during the raids.

The Belgian church was rocked earlier this year, when the bishop of Bruges, Roger Vangheluwe, admitted to sexually abusing boys before and after becoming a bishop.