Ronald Cornelissen

His Excellency

Ronald Cornelissen
Bishop of Groningen-Leeuwarden
Bishop Cornelissen in 2025
ChurchRoman Catholic
ProvinceUtrecht
DioceseRoman Catholic Diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden
Installed11 October 2025
Term endedpresent
PredecessorRon van den Hout
Orders
Ordination19 October 1996
by Adrianus Johannes Simonis
Consecration11 October 2025
by Wim Eijk
Personal details
BornRonald Gerhardus Wilhelmus Cornelissen
(1964-12-12) 12 December 1964
NationalityDutch
DenominationRoman Catholic
MottoPeregrinantes in Spem
Coat of arms

Ronald Gerhardus Wilhelmus Cornelissen (born 12 December 1964) is a Dutch Roman Catholic clergyman. Since 11 October 2025, he has served as the 4th bishop of the Diocese of Groningen–Leeuwarden.[1] His motto is Perigrinantes in spem (Pilgrims of hope).

Early life and education

Cornelissen was born in Gaanderen as the youngest of four children. He attended the Saint Augustine School in Gaanderen and later the Isala College in Silvolde, where he completed HAVO and VWO education. He studied theology at the Ariëns Institute in Utrecht.

Church career

On 19 October 1996, he was ordained a priest in St. Catherine’s Cathedral in Utrecht by Cardinal Simonis. He subsequently served in pastoral assignments in Slagharen, Denekamp, Deventer, Raalte, and Rijssen. In addition, he was involved in the organization and spiritual guidance of pilgrimages. From 2009 until 2025, he served as episcopal vicar of the Deventer vicariate.

On 7 July 2025, Cornelissen was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Groningen–Leeuwarden.[2][3] He succeeded Ron van den Hout, who was appointed bishop of the Diocese of Roermond. On 11 October 2025, Cornelissen received episcopal consecration and took possession of the episcopal see at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Groningen. The Archbishop of Utrecht, Cardinal Eijk, served as the principal consecrator.[4]

Ordinations

Styles of
Ronald Gerhardus Wilhelmus Cornelissen
Reference styleMost Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

References

  1. ^ The 6th bishop since the re-establishment of the Diocese of Groningen in 1956, and the 9th bishop since the diocese was first established in 1559.
  2. ^ Nomina del Vescovo di Groningen-Leeuwarden (Paesi Bassi) on press.vatican.va, 7 July 2025.(in Italian)
  3. ^ "Rinunce e nomine". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2025-07-12.
  4. ^ "Episcopal Ordination of Msgr. Cornelissen – Diocese of Groningen-Leeuwarden". bisdomgl.nl (in Dutch). 2025-07-15. Archived from the original on 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-07-17.