The Archbishop of Utrecht, Dr Joris Vercammen (66), has announced in a letter to his ministers and parishes that he will retire on 11 January 2020. In his initial statement, Archbishop Vercammen said, “I have chosen this time because it is good for the Church and good for me”. The church will be undergoing organizational changes and it will be good for this new future to be shaped by new people.
Archbishop Vercammen was elected Archbishop of Utrecht on 11 March 2000 and consecrated Bishop in Utrecht Cathedral on 1 July of the same year. As Archbishop of Utrecht, he not only directs his own diocese, but is also President of the Bishops’ Conference. After the retirement of the Archbishop, which will take place on 11 January 2020 at a celebration of Holy Eucharist in the Cathedral of St. Gertrudis in Utrecht, the Chapter of the Cathedral will take over the administration of the diocese. This body is also responsible for the election of a new Archbishop. The election takes place within six weeks; eligible voters being the clergy together with the lay representatives of the archdiocese of Utrecht.