On Monday, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Lode Van Hecke, Bishop of Ghent, with immediate effect. Bishop Van Hecke, aged 75, made the request for health reasons. His request was accepted even before a successor had been appointed, according to a statement issued by the Bishops’ Conference on Monday.
Under canon law, a bishop must present his resignation to the Pope when he reaches the age of 75. Bishop Van Hecke had done the same on March 16.
Pope Leo XIV has now decided to accept his resignation “with immediate effect”. It is customary to ask the bishop to remain in office until a successor is appointed, but for health reasons this request will not be met, the Bishops’ Conference said.
Until a new bishop is appointed, Vicar General Joris De Jonghe will lead the diocese.
