World · Europe · 1 day ago
Erna Peijnenburg becomes the first woman bishop in the Netherlands
Erna Peijnenburg has been ordained as a bishop in Haarlem, becoming the first woman to hold the role in the history of the Old Catholic Church in the Netherlands.
The Old Catholic Church is a small church with more than 5,000 members, formed in the Netherlands in the early 18th century after separating from the Roman Catholic Church.
Its members had already opened the roles of deacon and priest to women.
Peijnenburg was chosen by the Haarlem diocese’s electoral college in late August.
She was previously a priest in Alkmaar and Enkhuizen, and succeeds Dick Schoon, who retired in June.
The church says she will take her place in the bishop’s seat for the first time at a service tomorrow.
Erna Peijnenburg was consecrated as the first woman bishop in Dutch history.
The ceremony took place at St Bavo’s Church in Haarlem.
Peijnenburg is bishop of the Old Catholic Church in Haarlem and its nineteenth bishop.
The diocese’s electoral college chose her in late August to succeed Dick Schoon, who retired at the end of June.
Peijnenburg said the appointment could encourage women and men.
- Who
- Erna Peijnenburg, of the Old Catholic Church.
- What
- She was consecrated as a bishop, the first woman to hold the position in Dutch history.
- When
- The ceremony took place on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- St Bavo’s Church, on the Grote Markt in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
- Why
- The diocese’s electoral college chose her as its new bishop. The church had opened its ordained roles to women.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It is a historic moment
I am amazed and surprised that I was chosen for this position by colleagues and believers from the diocese.
That has an encouraging effect on the world.
Dick Schoon retired.
The Haarlem diocese’s electoral college chose Peijnenburg as its new bishop.
Peijnenburg was consecrated at St Bavo’s Church in Haarlem.
Peijnenburg is due to take her seat in the bishop’s chair for the first time during a church service.
- New bishop
- Erna Peijnenburg
- Historic first
- First woman bishop in Dutch history
- Church
- Old Catholic Church
- Ceremony venue
- St Bavo’s Church, Haarlem
- Predecessor
- Dick Schoon
- Haarlem bishop
- Nineteenth bishop
Sources
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