Bishop Patrick Hoogmartens

Patrick Hoogmartens (born in Tongeren in 1952) studied law and philosophy at KU Leuven and completed his priestly training at the Major Seminary of the Diocese of Hasselt. He subsequently studied at the Alphonsianum in Rome, where he obtained a licentiate degree in theology. In 1989, he was appointed president of the Major Seminary in Hasselt, and in 1993, episcopal vicar for youth pastoral care. He was appointed coadjutor bishop of Hasselt in 1997 and ordained bishop on October 26 of that year. Following the resignation of Bishop Paul Schruers on October 25, 2004, he became the third Bishop of Hasselt. Bishop Hoogmartens serves as the reference bishop for youth and vocation pastoral care in the Flemish dioceses, for catechesis and family pastoral care, for the CCV (Centre for Christian Formation), and for the interdiocesan ecclesiastical tribunals.