Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich resigns as nuncio just 10 months into Netherlands post

by Catholic Trends

February 24, 2026

in International

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Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich

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Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich has stepped down as Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands only ten months after taking up the post, with Pope Leo XIV accepting his resignation.

Although the Regulations for Pontifical Representations permit nuncios to retire at the age of 70, it is highly unusual for one to do so after such a short tenure. The Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad reported that the reasons for Archbishop Speich’s resignation are “shrouded in mystery.”

Archbishop Jean-Marie Antoine Joseph Speich was born on 15 June 1955 in Strasbourg, in the Diocese of Strasbourg, France. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Strasbourg on 9 October 1982.

Pope Francis named him an Archbishop in 2013 and was the principal consecrator at his episcopal ordination Mass in St Peter’s Basilica.

On 17 August 2013, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana and Titular Archbishop of Sulci. He was ordained a bishop on 24 October 2013 at the Cathedral of San Pietro in Rome.

On 19 March 2019, Archbishop Speich was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Slovenia and Apostolic Delegate to Kosovo. He later served as Apostolic Nuncio to the Netherlands from 12 April 2025 until his retirement on 21 February 2026.

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Daily Reading

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2nd book of Kings 4,8-11.14-16a.

One day Elisha came to Shunem, where there... was a woman of influence, who urged him to dine with her. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he used to stop there to dine.
So she said to her husband, "I know that he is a holy man of God. Since he visits us often,
let us arrange a little room on the roof and furnish it for him with a bed, table, chair, and lamp, so that when he comes to us he can stay there."
Sometime later Elisha arrived and stayed in the room overnight.
Later Elisha asked, "Can something be done for her?" "Yes!" Gehazi answered. "She has no son, and her husband is getting on in years."
"Call her," said Elisha. When she had been called, and stood at the door,
Elisha promised, "This time next year you will be fondling a baby son." "Please, my lord," she protested, "you are a man of God; do not deceive your servant."

Psalms 89(88),2-3.16-17.18-19.

The favors of the LORD I will sing forever;
through... all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.
For you have said, “My kindness is established forever”;
in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.

For you are the splendor of their strength,
and by your favor our horn is exalted.
For to the LORD belongs our shield,
and to the Holy One of Israel, our King.

Letter to the Romans 6,3-4.8-11.

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that... we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.
We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.
As to his death, he died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God.
Consequently, you too must think of yourselves as (being) dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 10,37-42.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me... is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and whoever receives a righteous man because he is righteous will receive a righteous man's reward.
And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple--amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
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Archbishop Jean-Marie Speich resigns as nuncio just 10 months into Netherlands post

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