Career

On his return, Philip II of Spain appointed him first bishop of the newly founded See of Ghent, which dated only from 1559. With this object in view, he founded a seminary for priests at Ghent in 1569, held diocesan synods in 1571 and 1574, and published a ritual for his diocese. He was entrusted with the compilation of a ritual to be used in the ecclesiastical province of Mechlin, but did not finish lieutenant

While at Tongerloo he wrote a great deal, and, as pastor at Kortrijk, had already become widely known for his exegetical work.

Achievements

• Having finally attained the degree of Doctor of Theology in 1562, he was immediately appointed professor of theology at the Old University of Leuven, became in the following year dean of the collegiate seminary of Saint James, and attended the last sessions of the Council of Trent as delegate of the university.