Gustaaf Joos

Who was Gustaaf Joos?

Gustaaf Joos was a Belgian cleric, who was elevated to the Roman Catholic College of Cardinals on 21 October 2003.

He studied with Karol Woytyla before the latter's election to Pope John Paul II. Joos was already 80 years old when he was elevated to cardinal and therefore could not take part in any future conclave. His elevation as cardinal was seen by many as gratitude from Pope John Paul II towards his long-time friend.

Before his nomination he was only known as a parish priest. Belgian media mistook him for another priest just after he was elevated to Cardinal.

After announcing his intention to elevate Father Joos to the Cardinalate, Pope John Paul also appointed him as Titular Bishop of Ypres, and he was consecrated on 7 October 2003, days before the Consistory in which he was raised to the College of Cardinals. After his elevation, Cardinal Joos continued to live in the Diocese of Ghent, serving as a parish priest and as judicial vicar in ecclesiastical tribunals.