Cardinal Adrianus Johannes Simonis, Archbishop Emeritus of Utrecht (the Netherlands), was born on November 26, 1931 in Lisse. He is one of a family of 11 children. After his studies in the Hageveld and Warmond seminaries he was ordained a priest on June 15, 1957. After this he served as curate of two parishes. From 1959 to 1966 he studied biblical exegesis in Rome where he completed his studies by defending the thesis ‘Die Hirtenrede’. The book deals with the texts concerning the Good Shepherd in the Gospel of John.
On December 29, 1970, he was nominated Bishop of Rotterdam by Pope Paul VI. The ordination took place on March 20, 1971.
On June 27, 1983, he was nominated Archbishop-Coadjutor of Utrecht with the right of succession to Card. Johannes Willebrands. On December 8, 1983 he was installed as Archbishop. Since then, he has been the president of the Episcopal Conference in the Netherlands.
As Archbishop, he assumed the role of president of the Commissions for teaching and education and for religion. He was named Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University of Nijmegen. He has been dedicated to defending the catholic doctrine regarding matrimony, the family and the inviolable value of human life.
Archbishop Emeritus of Utrecht, April 14, 2007.
Created and proclaimed Cardinal by John Paul II in the Consistory of May 25, 1985, of the Title of San Clemente (St. Clement).
Member of:
- Congregations: for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; for Catholic Education;
- Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
