Friday, May 13, 2011

Vatican appoints new Bishop of Rotterdam

The Dutch Catholic Church says the Vatican has appointed Hans van den Hende as the new Bishop of Rotterdam.

The 47-year-old Van den Hende has been bishop of the southern city of Breda since 2007.

He replaces Ad van Luyn who officially retired earlier this year at the age of 75 but will continue to run the Rotterdam diocese until Van den Hende is installed at a ceremony on July 2.

The Dutch Bishops' Conference on Tuesday described Van den Hende as a "modest and sympathetic man who works with dedication, loyalty and commitment in his diocese of Breda."