03/06/2026
NOTICE OF DEATH from R.K. Bisdom Paramaribo
On Wednesday, June 3 at 10:30 AM, our beloved Monsignor Wilhelmus Adrianus Josephus Maria de Bekker passed away at the age of 87.
Monsignor De Bekker was consecrated as Bishop on January 30, 2005, and served the Roman Catholic community with pastoral love and devotion as Bishop of Paramaribo for approximately 8.5 years.
On May 31, 2014, he was discharged from the episcopal office by Pope Francis, after having reached the age of 75 on April 27, 2014.
Before he was consecrated as bishop, he worked for many years for the Roman Catholic Special Education (RKBO) as a consultant inspector and as director of the Pater Ahlbrink Foundation (PAS). On May 25, 1985, he was ordained as a priest by Msgr. Zichem and was subsequently appointed pastor of the Saint Alphonsus Parish and Vicar General of the Diocese of Paramaribo, in which positions he served until his appointment as bishop. After retiring in late May 2014, he served for several years as pastor of the Saint Thaddeus Parish in Groningen, where he dedicated himself to the construction of an entirely new church for that congregation. He spent his final years in quiet retirement at the Fatima Oord Retirement Home.
A special memorial vespers service will be held for him on Saturday, June 13, at 7:00 PM in the Saint Alphonsus Church. The funeral will take place on Sunday, June 14, from the Saints Peter & Paul Cathedral. The service will begin at 1:00 PM, after which the remains will be laid to rest in the cathedral's crypt. Opportunity to pay respects on that day is possible from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
The condolence register will be available for signing on Friday, June 12, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the cathedral.
For further information regarding Mgr De Bekker, arrangements for potential interviews, and reporting on the vespers and the funeral service, please contact Mr. Dion Brunings, at tel. no. 865 4437.
On behalf of the Roman Catholic community,
+Karel Choennie
Bishop of Paramaribo
