Willem Jacobus Eijk

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Stored: Willem Jacobus Eijk

His Eminence Willem Jacobus Eijk
Bishop of Archdiocese of Utrecht
Home diocese: Archdiocese of Utrecht
Other diocese 1: Diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden
Other diocese 2:
Other diocese 3:
Ordination: 1 June 1985 by Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis
Consecration: 6 November 1999 by Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis
Rank: Cardinal
Created cardinal: 18 February 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI
Personal details
Born: Willem Jacobus Eijk
22 June 1953
Duivendrecht, North Holland, Netherlands
Died:
Nationality: Netherlands
Education: Pontifical Gregorian University
Motto: "Noli Recusare Laborem"
Role: Archbishop
Theology: Conservative
Region: Western Europe
Rite: Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility: Eligible


Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, born (1953-06-22) June 22, 1953 (age 72), is a Dutch prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, serving as Archbishop of Utrecht since 2007 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Ordained a priest in 1985 for the Diocese of Roermond and consecrated a bishop in 1999, he served as Bishop of Groningen-Leeuwarden (1999–2007). A former medical doctor, his conservative theology, reflected in his motto "Noli Recusare Laborem" ("Do Not Refuse the Work"), emphasizes bioethics, traditional doctrine, and opposition to progressive reforms, notably criticizing women’s ordination and homosexuality, which he has called a “neurosis.”[1][2][3] Eijk participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis and, at age 71, is eligible for the 2025 conclave following Francis’ death on April 21, 2025, as one of 135 cardinal electors, with the conclave set to begin May 7, 2025, in the Sistine Chapel.[4][5]

Eijk’s expertise in bioethics and moral theology, coupled with his conservative alignment with Benedict XVI, has earned him traditionalist support, with some X posts and media naming him a papabile for his firm stances on life issues and Church hierarchy.[6][7][8] However, his controversial views, including doubts about ecumenism and downplaying Catholic harm to Jews during World War II, alongside the progressive majority among electors (108 appointed by Francis), limit his candidacy, with frontrunners like Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Tagle favored.[3][9] His academic background from the Pontifical Gregorian University enhances his theological profile. As an active cardinal, Eijk’s influence in the 2025 conclave lies in his vote and conservative advocacy, though his polarizing views reduce his papal prospects.[4][10]

Biography

Birth and early life

Willem Jacobus Eijk was born on June 22, 1953, in Duivendrecht, North Holland, Netherlands, to a Catholic family in a predominantly Protestant country. Raised during the Netherlands’ post-war secularization, his vocation was inspired by the Church’s moral teachings, leading him to study medicine at the University of Amsterdam before entering the Rolduc Seminary at age 24. His medical background and the Second Vatican Council’s (1962–1965) debates shaped his conservative commitment to bioethics.

Fluent in Dutch, Italian, and Latin, Eijk’s intellectual aptitude foreshadowed his theological career.[11][1]

Education

Eijk studied medicine at the University of Amsterdam, earning a medical degree in 1978, and worked briefly as a doctor before pursuing theology at the Rolduc Seminary. He earned a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1985–1989), specializing in bioethics, and later studied moral theology at the Pontifical Lateran University.

His education bridged medicine and theology, emphasizing Vatican II’s continuity in doctrine. Eijk’s academic rigor prepared him for episcopal roles.[1][12]

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on June 1, 1985, by Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis for the Diocese of Roermond, Eijk served as a parish priest and professor of moral theology at the Rolduc Seminary (1985–1999). He published extensively on bioethics, focusing on euthanasia and abortion, during the Netherlands’ liberalizing trends.

His priesthood emphasized doctrinal clarity and moral teaching, navigating secular challenges. Eijk’s expertise earned him episcopal appointment.[11][1]

Bishop

Consecrated Bishop of Groningen-Leeuwarden on November 6, 1999, by Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis, Eijk served there until appointed Archbishop of Utrecht in 2007. Elevated to cardinal in 2012 with the title Cardinal-Priest of San Callisto, he participated in the 2013 conclave.

Eijk’s conservative stances, including opposition to women’s ordination as a “1960s topic” and calling homosexuality a “neurosis,” have drawn traditionalist support but progressive criticism.[2][3] Eligible for the 2025 conclave at age 71, he is among 135 electors, but his polarizing views and lack of curial prominence limit his candidacy.[4][9][13]

Diocese Role Start Date End Date Notes
Diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden Bishop 6 November 1999 11 December 2007 Focused on bioethics
Archdiocese of Utrecht Archbishop 11 December 2007 Present Opposed progressive reforms

Significant events

  • Studied medicine at University of Amsterdam, 1972–1978.
  • Entered Rolduc Seminary in 1977.
  • Ordained priest for the Diocese of Roermond in 1985.
  • Consecrated Bishop of Groningen-Leeuwarden in 1999.
  • Appointed Archbishop of Utrecht in 2007.
  • Elevated to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012.
  • Participated in the 2013 conclave.
  • Criticized women’s ordination and homosexuality in 2025 statements.
  • Confirmed eligible for the 2025 conclave.

Books

Written about the bishop

  • No known books specifically about Cardinal Eijk.

Written by the bishop

  • No known books authored by Cardinal Eijk.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Biography of Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk". Vatican Press Office. 2025-04-24. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_eijk.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Cardinal Eijk on women’s ordination". WalmartThomist. 2025-02-20. https://t.co/ZcIJ6rJ5Ti. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Cardinal Eijk on homosexuality". WalmartThomist. 2025-02-20. https://t.co/ZcIJ6rJ5Ti. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "18 African among Cardinals to elect new Pope". Nigerian Observer. 2025-04-24. https://nigerianobservernews.com/2025/04/18-african-among-cardinals-to-elect-new-pope/. 
  5. ↑ "Conclave to elect new pope to start on 7 May, Vatican says". The Guardian. 2025-04-28. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/28/conclave-elect-new-pope-7-may-vatican. 
  6. ↑ "FULL LIST: 10 Cardinals who may be the next Pope". The Nation Newspaper. 2025-04-21. https://thenationonlineng.net/full-list-10-cardinals-who-may-be-the-next-pope/. 
  7. ↑ "Cardinal Eijk profile". JaimeRuix. 2025-04-21. https://t.co/WuJW75oOi8. 
  8. ↑ "Cardinal Eijk as papabile". Sachinettiyil. 2025-04-21. https://t.co/gPygqh8rOn. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Lobbying for next pope heats up, with outcome less predictable than ever". The Guardian. 2025-04-27. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/27/lobbying-next-pope-heats-up-outcome-less-predictable. 
  10. ↑ "Cardinal Eijk on bioethics". xmuse_. 2025-04-21. https://t.co/WyXjFryoE4. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Willem Jacobus Cardinal Eijk". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-04-24. https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/beijk.html. 
  12. ↑ "Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/resource/55634/cardinal-willem-eijk. 
  13. ↑ "Cardinal Eijk appointed Archbishop of Utrecht". Vatican News. 2007-12-11. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2007-12/eijk-utrecht.html. 
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