Orthodox Church Historian who was Bishop of Roermond from 1972 to 1993
Bishop Joannes Gijsen was a prominent figure in the Dutch Catholic Church, known for his deep knowledge of church history and his strong commitment to orthodoxy. Born in Kerkrade in 1932, Gijsen was ordained a priest in 1957 and went on to earn a doctorate in church history from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
In 1972, Gijsen was appointed Bishop of Roermond, a diocese in the southern Netherlands. During his tenure, he was known for his conservative views and his unwavering commitment to traditional Catholic teachings. He was a vocal critic of modernist interpretations of the Second Vatican Council and worked to promote a more traditional approach to liturgy and theology.
Gijsen’s tenure as bishop was not without controversy, however. He faced criticism from some quarters for his conservative views and his sometimes confrontational style. In particular, his handling of allegations of sexual abuse by clergy in the diocese came under scrutiny, and he was accused of mishandling the situation.
Despite these challenges, Gijsen remained a respected figure in the Dutch Catholic Church and beyond. His deep knowledge of church history and his commitment to orthodoxy were widely admired, and he continued to be a leading voice in debates about the direction of the church.
In 1993, Gijsen retired as Bishop of Roermond and returned to his scholarly work. He continued to write and lecture on church history and theology until his death in 2013. His legacy as a dedicated historian and defender of orthodoxy lives on, and he remains a figure of interest and admiration for many in the Catholic Church.