Bishop of Breda
Johannes Wilhelmus Maria Liesen was born in Oosterhout (Diocese of Breda) on September 17, 1960. He completed his philosophical and theological studies at the Major Seminary of the Diocese of Roermond in Rolduc. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Roermond on June 16, 1984. From 1984 to 1985, he served as an assistant pastor in Eygelshoven. From 1985 to 1990, he pursued further studies in Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, obtaining a doctorate in Biblical Theology. From 1990 to 2010, he was a professor of Exegesis, Biblical Theology, and Hebrew, and—from 1996 to 2010—also served as librarian at the Major Seminary of Roermond. From 2000 to 2003, he also taught at the Major Seminary of the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, and from 2001 to 2006 at that of the Diocese of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He has been a member of the International Theological Commission since 2004. On July 15, 2010, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Tunnuna and Auxiliary Bishop of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He received episcopal ordination on September 18, 2010.