Gerard Johannes Nicolaus de Korte (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣeːrɑr tɕoːˈɦɑnəs ˈnikoːlʌuz ˈkɔrtə];[a] born 13 June 1955) is a Dutch Roman Catholic clergyman and Bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch. He was bishop of the diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden from 2008 to 2016. Before that he was auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Utrecht and dean of the deanery IJsellanden. His motto is Confidens in Christo (Trust in Christ).

His Excellency

Gerard de Korte
Bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch
Bishop de Korte in 2012
ChurchRoman Catholic
ProvinceUtrecht
DioceseRoman Catholic Diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch
Installed14 May 2016
Term endedpresent
PredecessorAntoon Hurkmans
Other post(s)Auxiliary bishop of Utrecht (2001–2008)[1]
Titular Bishop of Cesarea in Mauretania (2001–2008)[1]
Orders
Ordination5 September 1987
by Adrianus Johannes Simonis
Consecration2 June 2001
by Adrianus Johannes Simonis
Personal details
Born
Gerard Johannes Nicolaus de Korte

(1955-06-13) 13 June 1955 (age 69)
NationalityDutch
DenominationRoman Catholic
MottoConfidens in Christo
Coat of armsGerard de Korte's coat of arms

Early life and education

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Gerard Johannes Nicolaus de Korte was born on 13 June 1955 in Vianen in the Netherlands. He was the youngest of three children.

De Korte graduated in 1974 from the Alberdingk Thijmcollege in Hilversum. He studied history at the Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht from 1974 to 1980. During this time De Korte got more interested in religion and the Church. While writing his final thesis he received certificates in Greek and Latin. He graduated in 1980. Soon after that he became a student at the Katholieke Theologische Universiteit in Utrecht. After graduation, he decided to study theology. In 1984 he became a seminarian at the Ariënskonvikt [nl] of the Archdiocese of Utrecht. He graduated from his theology studies in 1987. In 1994 he was promoted to doctor of theology on a thesis titled Priesthood of reconciliation. Possibilities and borders of the theology of the word, especially that of Eduard Thurneysen, for Catholic pastoral care.

Church career

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Following his priestly ordination in 1987 he became a member of the staff of the Ariënskovikt seminary. he was also appointed as parish priest of the Cathedral of St. Catharina in Utrecht. From 1992 to 1999 he was rector of the Ariënskonvikt. In 1999 he was appointed to dean of Salland, which was merged with the deanery of Veluwe-Flevoland to form the deanery of IJsellanden. As such he was also a member of the bishop's council.

Pope John Paul II appointed Gerard de Korte as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Utrecht on 11 April 2001 and as titular bishop of Caesarea in Mauritania. Cardinal Simonis also appointed him as diocesan vicar. His primary duty was in the fields of catechesis and liturgy. Within the conference of bishops he was responsible for Church and Society.

On 18 June 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him bishop of the diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden, succeeding Msgr. Eijk who had been made Archbishop of Utrecht earlier that year. De Korte was enthroned on 13 September 2008.

In March 2016 was announced that De Korte will succeed Bishop Hurkmans as bishop of the Diocese of 's-Hertogenbosch, the most populous diocese in the Netherlands.[2]

Ordinations

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Styles of
Gerard Johannes Nicolaus de Korte
 
Reference styleMost Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Notes

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  1. ^ In isolation, Gerard, Johannes and Nicolaus are pronounced [ˈɣeːrɑrt], [joːˈɦɑnəs] and [ˈnikoːlʌus], respectively.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Diocese of Groningen–Leeuwarden", GCatholic.org, 2015. Retrieved on 6 February 2015.
  2. ^ Stijn Fens, "Gerard de Korte nieuwe bisschop Den Bosch" (in Dutch), Trouw, 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
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Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Groningen-Leeuwarden
2008–2016
Vacant
Preceded by Bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch
2016–present
Incumbent