Netherlands

Vatican confirms actively gay Dutch priest’s suspension; diocese hopes he will return to ministry
- Jun 22, 2020
The decision of the Dutch diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam to suspend and remove gay parish priest Pierre Valkering, was a legitimate one. So ruled both Pope Francis and the Congregation for the Clergy after the parish priest lodged an appeal in Rome.

By Sanne Gerrits – Katholiek Nieuwsblad
Amsterdam isn’t just Europe’s ‘sin city’: It’s the Eucharistic heart of The Netherlands
- Jun 18, 2020
The annual Corpus Christi procession along the Amsterdam canals was canceled due to coronavirus prevention measures.

By Carmen Montón Lecumberri – Katholiek Nieuwsblad
Dutch parishes holding on financially for now, but are still suffering
- May 22, 2020
Dutch parishes are missing out on thousands in donations and other sources of income as coronavirus measures prevent them from holding public Masses, according to research done by the Dutch Catholic weekly Katholiek Nieuwsblad.

By Katholiek Nieuwsblad

Dutch religious leaders prepare for ‘one-and-a-half-meter church’
- May 4, 2020
In the Netherlands, the government recently announced a gradual relaxation of the ‘intelligent lockdown’ that until recently applied in the European country. In the meantime, the Dutch Catholic community wonders: When will we be able to go to Mass again?

By Anton de Wit - Katholiek Nieuwsblad
Dutch Supreme Court approves euthanasia in cases of advanced dementia
- Apr 25, 2020
Dutch Catholics are criticizing the Netherland’s Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that doctors may carry out euthanasia on people with severe dementia, provided they had previously prepared an advance directive.

By Sanne Gerrits – Katholiek Nieuwsblad
Non-European Pope mounts defense of EU amid coronavirus ‘paralysis’
- Apr 23, 2020
Pope Francis, despite being the first non-European pontiff since the eighth century, is perhaps the most vocal leader on the Old Continent today making a principled defense of the European Union.

By John L. Allen Jr.