ALFRINK, BERNARDUS JOHANNES

(1900–1987). Professor, archbishop, and cardinal. As professor, Alfrink lectured on exegesis of the Old Testament and Hebrew at the Catholic University of Nijmegen(now Radboud University) from 1945 until 1951. Then he became titular archbishop of Tyana and coadjutor of Cardinal Johannes de Jong (1885–1955), archbishop of Utrecht. After de Jong passed away, Alfrink became the next Utrecht archbishop, which he remained until 1975. He was raised to the rank of cardinal in 1960. Alfrink played an important role during the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). In this period, many Dutch Roman Catholics criticized or left their church. Alfrink participated in three conclaves (1963 and twice in 1978).