---
title: First Female Bishop Chosen for Old Catholic Church in Netherlands
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/first-female-bishop-chosen-for-old-catholic-church-in-netherlands
published: 2026-10-11T14:49:39+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.kn.nl/verdieping/interview-verdieping/erna-peijnenburg-is-de-eerste-vrouwelijke-bisschop-in-nederland-een-kans-voor-een-hoopvol-signaal/
organizations: Old Catholic Church, Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Church
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# First Female Bishop Chosen for Old Catholic Church in Netherlands

Erna Peijnenburg has been selected as the first woman to serve as a bishop within the Old Catholic Church in the Netherlands, marking a historic shift for the denomination. She was chosen on August twenty-nine and is scheduled to be consecrated on October tenth, after which she will officially assume her seat in Haarlem. This event represents a significant milestone, as she becomes only the second woman globally to hold such a position within this specific church tradition. Her selection follows a period of service as a pastoral worker in the Roman Catholic Church before her transition to the Old Catholic community.

The election process within the Old Catholic Church differs from appointment systems used elsewhere, relying instead on a voting body known as an electoral college. In this instance, the college consisted of twelve priests and six laypeople who participated in the decision. Peijnenburg described the voting procedure as extremely tense, noting that her name emerged as the intended candidate only after two rounds of ballots. She expressed initial disbelief upon learning of the outcome, stating that she immediately thought she was now the one chosen. Despite the traditional provision allowing two weeks for reflection, she accepted the office without delay, feeling a sense of grace regarding the opportunity.

Peijnenburg views her elevation as a chance to send a hopeful signal to both the church and the wider world. She acknowledged that women inside and outside the church, including those within the Roman Catholic tradition, feel encouraged by the fact that a woman can reach this high position. While admitting she will undoubtedly make mistakes and face limitations, she pledged to use all her abilities to make the best of the role. She noted that adding a woman to a group of men inevitably changes the dynamic, which she considers an enrichment for society and the church alike. However, she cautioned against defining specific male or female traits too rigidly, preferring to focus on her contribution as a human being.

Her journey to this leadership role began with dissatisfaction during her time as a pastoral worker in the Roman Catholic Church. Until two thousand eleven, she served in a parish associated with the Saint Bavo Cathedral, where she felt her role was gradually diminished. The church administration appeared to move away from the concept of an all-round lay pastor, preferring separate functions for catechesis, pastoral care, and diaconal work. The removal of liturgical duties from her portfolio was particularly difficult for her, as she valued the connection between these various fields. She found it hard to continue in a culture that offered her very little space to operate fully.

The decision to leave the Roman Catholic Church was emotionally heavy, as she felt she was abandoning volunteers and colleagues. A driving force behind her desire for ordination was the wish to celebrate the Eucharist with the people she served throughout the week. Within the Old Catholic Church, which has been in full communion with the Anglican Church since nineteen thirty-one, women have been eligible for priestly ordination since nineteen ninety-eight. Peijnenburg described her ability to become a priest there as the greatest miracle of her life. Now, as bishop, she faces the challenge of balancing increased administrative responsibilities with her deep desire for personal connection with the faithful.

The Old Catholic Church in the Netherlands separated from the Roman Catholic Church in the early eighteenth century and currently counts approximately four thousand members divided across two dioceses. Unlike the Roman Catholic tradition, priests in the Old Catholic Church are permitted to marry. Peijnenburg will take up her residence at the Saint Anne and Mary Cathedral in Haarlem, a location she views as symbolic due to its proximity to the Roman Catholic cathedral via a local canal. She aims to be a connector and a shepherd to her fellow clergy, focusing on keeping parishes vibrant and ensuring pastoral care remains available. Her goal is to proclaim the Word of God, offer comfort, and maintain hope for a better world amidst current societal challenges.

## This story in other languages

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