Rémy Victor Vancottem
Encyclopedia
Rémy Victor Vancottem is the bishop of Namur
, since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
on 31 May 2010. He had previously served as an Auxiliary Bishop
of Mechelen-Brussels.
Vancottem was born at Tubize
, Walloon Brabant. He first studied to be a teacher, then supplemented those studies with those of philosophy
and theology
at the Seminary of Malines. He attended the Catholic University of Louvain, where he earned a degree in psychology
. He was ordained a priest 27 June 1969 for the Archdiocese of Malines-Brussels.
In September 1974 he became board member of the Major Seminary in Brussels, team leader for continuing education of clergy in Brussels and Walloon Brabant, and founder and co-responsible group ANIME (Association for the training of lay apostolate in Brussels and Walloon Brabant). He was appointed Titular Bishop
of Unizibira by Pope John Paul II
on 15 February 1982 and was consecrated on 21 March, he became auxiliary of Malines-Brussels office of Vicar General for the Walloon Brabant.
On 31 May 2010 he was appointed as the bishop of Namur to fill the vacancy left by Archbishop Leonard who has been appointed primate of Belgium and archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels.
Roman Catholic Diocese of Namur
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Namur is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in Belgium. It is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussel.-Bishops of Namur since 1802:*Claude de Bexon...
, since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on 31 May 2010. He had previously served as an Auxiliary Bishop
Auxiliary bishop
An auxiliary bishop, in the Roman Catholic Church, is an additional bishop assigned to a diocese because the diocesan bishop is unable to perform his functions, the diocese is so extensive that it requires more than one bishop to administer, or the diocese is attached to a royal or imperial office...
of Mechelen-Brussels.
Vancottem was born at Tubize
Tubize
Tubize is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. On January 1 2006 Tubize had a total population of 22,335. The total area is 32.66 km² which gives a population density of 684 inhabitants per km²....
, Walloon Brabant. He first studied to be a teacher, then supplemented those studies with those of philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the Seminary of Malines. He attended the Catholic University of Louvain, where he earned a degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
. He was ordained a priest 27 June 1969 for the Archdiocese of Malines-Brussels.
In September 1974 he became board member of the Major Seminary in Brussels, team leader for continuing education of clergy in Brussels and Walloon Brabant, and founder and co-responsible group ANIME (Association for the training of lay apostolate in Brussels and Walloon Brabant). He was appointed Titular Bishop
Titular bishop
A titular bishop in various churches is a bishop who is not in charge of a diocese.By definition a bishop is an "overseer" of a community of the faithful, so when a priest is ordained a bishop the tradition of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches is that he be ordained for a specific place...
of Unizibira by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on 15 February 1982 and was consecrated on 21 March, he became auxiliary of Malines-Brussels office of Vicar General for the Walloon Brabant.
On 31 May 2010 he was appointed as the bishop of Namur to fill the vacancy left by Archbishop Leonard who has been appointed primate of Belgium and archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels.