What Did Francis and Monsignor Kockerols Discuss?

When Francis met the Belgian bishops in Brussels on 28 September, one prelate didn't wear a cassock. It was Monsignor Jean Kockerols, 66, auxiliary bishop of Mechelen-Brussels.

He was appointed in 2011, during the tenure of Catholic Archbishop André-Joseph Léonard, 84, who was in charge of Mechelen-Brussels from 2010 to 2015. The excellent Archbishop Léonard was never made a cardinal. Francis retired him immediately after his 75th birthday.

When Francis appointed Archbishop Luc Terlinden to Brussels in September 2023, Monsignor Kockerols took a sabbatical which ended on 11 September. Among other things, he went to Marseille to help the not very Catholic Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline.

During his recent visit to Brussels, Francis spoke briefly with Monsignor Kockerols (video below). Some believe they discussed a new appointment. After the meeting, Mons Kockerols was seen crying and talking to Bishop Lodewijk Aerts, 65, of Bruges.

There are rumours that Mons Kockerols will be appointed to Namur or Tournai. Bishops Pierre Warin of Namur and Guy Harpigny of Tournai are both 76 years old.

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