Theologian and poet Huub Oosterhuis passed away on Sunday at the age of 89. His family announced this on Monday.
Born in Amsterdam in 1933, he has made a name for himself as a poet and Bible interpreter since the 1960s. His work had a major influence on the renewal of the liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church.
The poet’s poetic oeuvre ranged from psalm adaptations to political protest songs, mystical chants and often very personal free poetry. His songs were in the repertoire of most parishes.
In 1965 Oosterhuis became a pastor in the Amsterdamse Studentenekklesia, which was supposed to be an alternative to the existing service. The Roman Catholic Church disowned him as a priest in 1970 when he continued to lead services after his marriage. A year earlier, Oosterhuis had also been expelled from a religious order because of his views on celibacy: the obligation of sexual abstinence and remaining unmarried for clergy in the Roman Catholic Church.
Oosterhuis had close ties with the royal family
Oosterhuis founded De Populier in 1972 to stimulate the debate on politics and culture. In the early 1980s, the Amsterdam debate center became De Balie. In 1990 Oosterhuis opened the Rode Hoed, the center for religion, politics and culture. He was director there from 1991 to 1998.
The theologian had close ties with the royal family. In 2002 he preached during the funeral service of Prince Claus. His ties to Claus and Beatrix date back to the early 1970s, when the poet joined a group of artists that the couple gathered around him.
Oosterhuis had two children: singer Trijntje and composer Tjeerd. They say in a response that they are especially grateful for the beautiful moments with their father. “Despite the great sadness, our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for all the beautiful moments we have received from our inspiring and loving father.”
