First Layman Is General Secretary Of Ex-Catholic Belgian Bishops

For the first time, a layman has been named general secretary of the Belgian bishops’ conference.

Bruno Spriet, 35, succeeds Bishop Herman Cosijns in the post. The appointment is effective March 13, 2023.

Spriet is married and father of two children. He holds various degrees in theology and management. Since 2012, he has been working at Porticus, a global philanthropic organisation of the Brenninkmeijer family of Catholic entrepreneurs (c-and-a.com).

Spriet becomes the responsible person to prepare and ensure the implementation of the decisions of the bishops. He participates in their meetings.

In Germany, Beate Gilles was named the first lay general secretary of the bishops’ conference in February 2021. Since Vatican II, the bishops have progressively lost control over the Church.

Picture: Bruno Spriet, © Press picture, kerknet.be, #newsUjfyihlgky