Bishop Jan de Groef

Jan de Groef, M. Afr., was born on January 7, 1948, in Beigem (Grimbergen), Belgium, within the Archdiocese of Brussels-Malines. He received his secondary education in Laken (Brussels). He entered the Novitiate of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) on September 22, 1973, in Birkdale, England. After his first religious profession, he was sent to St. Edward’s College in London to continue his ecclesiastical training. He studied at the Missionary Institute in London until 1976. From 1976 to 1978, he was sent to Tanzania for pastoral experience, after which he returned to London to complete his studies. He made his perpetual profession on January 19, 1979, and was ordained a priest on July 7, 1979, in Beigem, Belgium. Following his ordination, he held the following positions: 1980–1982: Parochial Vicar in Senekal, in the Diocese of Bethlehem; 1982–1986: Superior of the local "White Fathers" community in Phuthaditjhaba; 1986–1988: Parish Priest, first in Bohlokong and then in Bethlehem; 1989–1995: Responsible for missionary animation for the "White Fathers" in Leuven, Belgium; 1995–1999: Returned to South Africa and was appointed Parish Priest in Siyabuswa, in the Archdiocese of Pretoria; 1999–2003: Attended a spirituality course at Le Chatelard, Paris, and was asked to work at the Novitiate in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso; 2003–2006: Returned to South Africa and was appointed Parish Priest in Siyabuswa, in the Archdiocese of Pretoria, and Superior of the White Fathers' Sector; since July 2008: Member of his Institute's formation staff at Cedara, in the Archdiocese of Durban.