Who is Fabien Lejeusne, the next bishop of Namur?
Born in 1973, Fabien Lejeusne is a Franco-Belgian priest, member of the congregation of Augustinians of the Assumption. Baptised at the age of 18 and ordained at the age of 29, he was quickly entrusted with leading missions within the Assumptionists, until he became director of the National Pilgrimage of Lourdes, then provincial superior of Europe.
This Monday, October 6, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Fabien Lejeusne Bishop of Namur. He will succeed Bishop Pierre Warin, in office since 2019, and now 77 years old.
Fabien Lejeusne is preparing to take over the head of the largest diocese of Belgium (26% of the national territory), which includes the provinces of Namur and Luxembourg.
Raised within the “Family of the Assumption”
Fabien Lejeusne was born in Tournai on October 28, 1973. He spent his childhood in Froyennes, in a home run by the Oblate Sisters of the Assumption. After studying building renovation at the Royal Athenaeum of Péruwelz, he trained in carpentry at Don Bosco Tournai. Practising for a time his profession as a carpenter and restaurateur in the building, it is finally a religious commitment that is looming for the young Franco-Belgian.
Baptised at the age of 18 by a French Assumptionist, he crossed the border in 1995 to go to the interdiocesan seminary in Lille. On the advice of the superior of the Assumptionists of the time, he began training in philosophy and theology “to verify that the vocation I wanted to embrace was indeed something I was doing in conscience”. Fabien Lejeusne does not know it yet, but he begins there, in France, a journey of religious life that will keep him twenty-seven years in France.
Strengthened in his desire for vocation, he entered the noviciate of the Augustins of the Assumption (A.A.) in Paris in 1997. He gave his first vows on September 26, 1998. The choice of this congregation is hardly surprising: raised, as he himself says, by “the family of the Assumption”, he finds among the Assumptionists a charisma turned towards youth, an Augustinian spirituality and a strong missionary spirit. Founded in 1845, the Augustinian congregation of the Assumption is now present in nearly 40 countries on the five continents.
Ordained a priest in 2003, at the age of 29
In 1998, he went down to Paris to pursue a second cycle in theology, at the interdiocesan seminary of Issy-les-Moulineaux. He completed his training in 2001 and, on November 24 of the same year, pronounced his perpetual vows within the congregation of the Assumptionists. Follow his diaconal ordination on October 20, 2002, then priestly ordination on May 25, 2003.
He became vicar at the parish of Saint Maurice and Saint Bernard in Strasbourg, from 2003 to 2007. Then to the parish of St Augustin de l’Aqueduc in Montpellier, from 2007 to 2011.
At the service of young people and pilgrims of Lourdes
Very invested with young people, Father Fabien is a chaplain of a college during his mission as a vicar in Montpellier.
From 2011 to 2014, he expanded his spiritual support for young people by becoming a national chaplain of the Companions of Scouts and Guides of France, dedicated to 17-21 year olds. He will also confide that, in his own youth, it was scouting that confirmed his vocation. This pastoral commitment to youth no longer leaves him: “I have spent at least twenty years in the world of young people,” he summarises today.
In addition, from 2011 to 2017, Fabien Lejeusne served as director of the National Pilgrimage of Lourdes, animated by the Assumptionists and which takes place every year in the Marian city.
A rise among the Assumptionists
Father Fabien Lejeusne is entrusted with increasingly important responsibilities within his congregation. In 2017, he joined the Province of Europe team, where he held the position of first councillor.
On July 15, 2023, he was appointed Provincial Superior of Europe of the Assumptionists for a three-year term. The province of Europe then had 19 countries and 390 religious. A responsibility that gives him extensive experience of the governance and challenges of his congregation on the continent. His episcopal appointment now puts an end to this three-year term.
The 32nd Bishop of Namur
As Bishop Warin’s resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on January 16, 2023 nunc pro tunc (i.e. accepted, but only effective on the day of the appointment of his successor), this resignation automatically comes into force on October 6, 2025.
Bishop Lejeusne’s Episcopal Ordination Mass will take place on December 7, at 3 p.m., in Saint-Aubain Cathedral in Namur. The Franco-Belgian Assumptionist will become, at the age of 52, the 32nd bishop of Namur. Fabien Lejeusne has already chosen his episcopal motto: “May Your reign come”, the motto of the congregation of the Assumptionists.
by Clément LALOYAUX with Vincent DELCORPS
Translated from https://www.cathobel.be/2025/10/qui-est-fabien-lejeusne-le-prochain-eveque-de-namur/