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A Giant Leap: The meaning of Cardinal Eijk’s Pontifical High Mass and the Rebirth of Dutch Catholicismby Serre VerweijCardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, the Archbishop of Utrecht in the Netherlands, celebrated on March 15th, 2026, a Pontifical High Mass for the first time. It somehow ended up being a huge event that was talked about internationally and still receives attention weeks later. As a Catholic from the Archdiocese of Utrecht, I was surprised a little (though very pleasantly) that the cardinal decided to do this. It was clearly a new experience for him, yet, when I attended, I could see he...

[Catholic Caucus] Cardinal Eijk reflects on celebrating his first public Latin Mass in new interview'I found it a very impressive and unforgettable experience,' said Cardinal Eijk in an interview with the Italian blog Messainlatino.Cardinal Willem Eijk celebrates first public Traditional Latin Mass in Oss, Netherlands. Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk explained his reasons for celebrating a Pontifical Mass in the Tridentine Rite and described its reception among the faithful.On March 25, the Italian blog Messainlatino published an exclusive interview conducted by Father Marco Begato with Cardinal Eijk, archbishop of Utrecht and primate of the Netherlands, who celebrated his first Pontifical High...

The Dutch politician Lilliane Ploumen has been made a Dame in the pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great.Ploumen confirmed the award in an email to the Catholic Herald, saying that she was “very honoured” by the pontifical medal, which was sent via the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs last month.It is not known whether the Pope was aware of the decision.Ploumen, a senior Labour party figure who served as Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation until last year, has been criticised for her record on life issues.Last year she launched an international campaign to support abortion after the...