Eastern Catholicism in Belgium

Contents

Eastern Catholicism in Belgium refers to various forms of Eastern Catholicism present in Belgium, mostly immigrant communities. There are several churches where eastern rites are celebrated, often bi-ritual Latin-Eastern churches.

Chaldean Catholics

As of 2014, there were some 1500 Chaldean Catholics living in Brussels.[1] In 2016, Belgium as a whole had around 3000 Chaldean Catholics.[2] In February 2024, a married Chaldean Catholic man was ordained to the priesthood in Belgium, the first Belgian Chaldean Catholic priest to be ordained in Belgium itself.[3]

Byzantine Catholics

There is a notable community of Ukrainian Greek Catholics in Antwerp, who celebrate Divine Liturgy in the Saint-Michael and Saint-Peter Church and St. Andrew's Church.[4] They are under the jurisdiction of the Eparchy of Saint Vladimir the Great of Paris.[5]

There is also a Melkite Catholic parish in Brussels.[6]

Chevetogne Abbey

The Chevetogne Abbey is a Benedictine abbey in Belgium that mixes Eastern and Western traditions.[7]

References

  1. 1.Van Garsse, Steven (29 October 2014). "Chaldeeuwse gemeenschap: 'Het doet ons pijn dat hier kerken worden gesloten'".
  2. 2.Bouweraerts, Christof (27 April 2016). "Ik wil bruggen bouwen tussen onze gemeenschappen".
  3. 3."Gehuwd, drie kinderen en ooit automonteur: David Nas als allereerste getrouwde man door het aartsbisdom tot priester gewijd". 3 February 2024.
  4. 4.Bludts, Mischa (15 February 2024). "Toekomstig diaken Volodymyr Hreshchuk verwacht weldra zijn eerstgeborene: "Antwerpen is geweldig, maar een beetje druk"".
  5. 5."Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Saint Vladimir the Great of Paris".
  6. 6."Melkite Council". 17 July 2020.
  7. 7.Burger, John (23 October 2019). "The monastery where Eastern and Western Catholic monks live together".