Bishop Harrie Smeets van Roermond, who has been seriously ill for months, draws hope from a new treatment method.
That will be announced by the Diocese of Roermond on Saturday.
brain tumor
A brain tumor was discovered at the bishop last year, for which he has been being treated since September. According to the diocese, the chemotherapy is so successful that the 61-year-old bishop will soon be able to receive three radiation treatments for the place in the brain where the tumor is located. That was not possible before.
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The new treatment may already take place before Easter. With the targeted radiation, the doctors hope to further inhibit or slow down the growth of the tumor.
‘Thank everyone’
“Although the health situation of Mgr. Smeets remains worrisome, he draws hope from this new treatment,” the diocese said on Saturday. “The bishop is convinced that, in addition to the medicines, the prayer of many people also contributes to this. He would like to thank everyone for this and also asks to pray for all other seriously ill.”
Bishop Smeets
Smeets was consecrated in 2018 as the 24th bishop of the Diocese of Roermond. At the end of May last year, he was admitted to hospital with complaints that were reminiscent of a cerebral infarction. Further research at the university hospital in Maastricht showed in August that Smeets has a brain tumor. As a result of a brain tumor, some bodily functions were lost. Smeets moves in a wheelchair and talking was initially difficult.
Also read: Bishop Smeets feels a little better after treatment
According to his spokesperson, Smeets is already doing a lot better than six months ago. “He will not really get better, but in September he was worse off. The treatment is going well. Talking is also a lot better than before.”
alternate
Since July 2021, his duties have been assumed by his deputy, Vicar General René Maessen. Smeets is not yet able to perform his episcopal duties, a spokesman for the diocese said on Friday.