Leo Joseph Suenens


Leo Jozef Suenens
Cardinal
Archbishop Emeritus of Mechelen-Brussels
Primate Emeritus of Belgium
ChurchCatholic Church
ArchdioceseMechelen-Brussels
SeeMechelen-Brussels
Appointed24 November 1961
Term ended4 October 1979
PredecessorJozef-Ernest van Roey
SuccessorGodfried Danneels
Other post(s)Cardinal-Priest of San Pietro in Vincoli (1962-96)
Previous post(s)Titular Bishop of Isinda (1945-61)
Auxiliary Bishop of Mechelen (1945-61)
President of the Belgian Episcopal Conference (1961-79)
Military Vicar of Belgium (1962-79)
Orders
Ordination4 September 1927
by Jozef-Ernest van Roey
Consecration16 December 1945
by Jozef-Ernest van Roey
Created cardinal19 March 1962
by Pope John XXIII
RankCardinal-Priest
Personal details
Born
Leo Jozef Suenens

(1904-07-16)16 July 1904
Died6 May 1996(1996-05-06) (aged 91)
Brussels, Kingdom of Belgium
ParentsJean-Baptiste Suenens
Jeanne Janssens
Alma materPontifical Gregorian University
MottoIn Spiritu Sancto
Coat of armsLeo Jozef Suenens's coat of arms

Leo Jozef Suenens (/ˈsnɛns/ SOO-nens) (16 July 1904 – 6 May 1996) was a Belgian Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels from 1961 to 1979. He was elevated to the cardinalate in 1962.

Suenens was a leading voice at the Second Vatican Council advocating for reform in the Church.