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Willem Christiaan


Willem Christiaans
Bishop of Keetmanshoop, Namibia
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
ArchdioceseRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Windhoek
DioceseRoman Catholic Diocese of Keetmanshoop
Appointed7 February 2018
Installed5 May 2018
PredecessorPhilipp Pöllitzer
SuccessorIncumbent
Orders
Ordination10 December 1988
Consecration5 May 2018
by Protase Rugambwa
Personal details
Born (1961-02-12) 12 February 1961 (age 64)
Gabis, ǁKaras Region, Diocese of Keetmanshoop, Namibia
DenominationRoman Catholic

Willem Christiaans O.S.F.S., (born 12 February 1961) is a Namibian Roman Catholic prelate. He is the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Keetmanshoop, Namibia since 2018. He was appointed bishop on 7 February 2018 by Pope Francis. He served as Apostolic Administrator of the Keetmanshoop diocese while still a priest, from 26 July 2017 until 7 February 2018. He is a member of the Order of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He was consecrated bishop on 5 May 2018.

Early years and education

He was born on 12 February 1961 in Gabis, ǁKaras Region, Diocese of Keetmanshoop, Namibia. He made his first vows as an Oblate of St. Francis de Sales in 1983. In 1988 he made his perpetual vows as an Oblate. He studied philosophy at St. Joseph's Theological Institute in Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, graduating in 1984. He then completed his studies in Theology in 1988, at the same seminary.[1][2]

Priest

On 10 December 1988, he was ordained a priest of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. He served in that capacity until 7 February 2018.[1][2]

As a priest, he held various positions inside and outside his diocese including as:[2]

  • Diocesan superior of the Order of Oblates of St. Francis de Sales for three consecutive terms since 1988.
  • Vicar General of Keetmanshoop diocese from 2008 until 2013.
  • Diocesan administrator of Keetmanshoop diocese from July 2017 until February 2018.[2]

Bishop

On 7 February 2018 Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Keetmanshoop, Namibia. He was consecrated and installed at Keetmanshoop Stadium, in Keetmanshoop, Namibia on 5 May 2018. The Principal Consecrator was Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, Bishop Emeritus of Kigoma assisted by Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, Titular Archbishop of Marcianopolis and Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda, Archbishop of Windhoek.[1][2][3][4]

See also

Succession table

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
Administrator of Keetmanshoop
(26 July 2017 - 7 Feb 2018
Succeeded by
Preceded by(31 May 2007 - 21 July 2017) Bishop of Keetmanshoop
(since 7 February 2018)
Succeeded by

References

  1. ^ a b c David M. Cheney (25 February 2024). "MicroData Summary for Bishop Willem Christiaans O.S.F.S. (born 12 February 1961), Bishop of Keetmanshoop". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. Kansas City. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e Erin Carelse (26 February 2018). "New Bishop for Namibia!". The Southern Cross. Cape Town, South Africa. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  3. ^ Agenzia Fides (12 May 2018). "Vatican: Archbishop Rugambwa in Namibia: "The appointment of a Bishop is a sign of God's love"". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  4. ^ Linda Bordoni (10 October 2018). "Namibia Bishop At Synod: "We Need To Empower Women And Youth"". Vatican News. Vatican City. Retrieved 10 February 2025.