First Vice-President of the Belgian Senate, Churchman

Born: 28 April 1940 in Lokeren (Belgium)

Education: 1963 - graduate of the faculty of political and social sciences, Catholic Leuven University (Belgium)
1969 - graduate of the faculty of theology, Catholic Leuven University

Professional Career:

1964-1969 Member of the Order of Saint Francisco;

1964-1994 MC of the religious theological program on KTRO/KTRC TV;

1969-1970 Archbishop of Mechelen and Brussels;

1970 - Churchman;

1970-1977 Deals with collection of funds for the church needs at Belgian Navy;

1973-2003 Member of the spiritual club at Finistere Church, Brussels;

1984 -Supervises the Dutch pastorate;

May 2003 - Member of Flemish socialist party SP.A-Spirit;

May 2003 - Senator of the Parliament of Belgium;

June 2003 - First Vice-President of the Belgian Senate.

Currently at the Senate:

- Member of the Committee on European Affairs;
- Member of the Special Committee on Globalization Issues;
- Member of the Working Group on Population Ageing;
- Member of the Committee on External Relations and Defense;
- Member of the Committee on Control over Election Expenses and Reporting of Political Parties;
- Member of the Parliamentary Coordination Committee;
- Member of the Justice Committee;
- Member of the Committee on Institutional Issues.

Author of Books:

"Negotiations in Jerusalem", 1996;
"Prayers of the Priest in the Big City", 1997;
"Sadness and Charm. Brussels Stories", 2002;
"Priest in Politics", 2004.

Co-author of books:

"Habemus Papam", 2003
"Other Belief", 2005

Author of numerous articles, columnist in a monthly Dutch magazine "De Standaard"

Web-Site: http://www.stafnimmegeers.be/