Roman Catholic Cardinal. Brussels born Jean Hamer joined the Order of Preachers in September 1934, receiving the religious name of Jérôme. Undergoing studies at the Dominican Studiums of La Sarte and Louvain, following his military service and three months in prison, he pursued further studies at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, from where he earned a doctorate in theology. Ordained priest on August 3, 1941, he served as faculty member of University of Fribourg between 1944 and 1962, of the Pontifical Angelicum Athenaeum in Rome from 1952 until 1953, of the Studium General of La Sarte, and later of the Dominican faculty of Saulchoir in France, of which he also served as rector between 1956 and 1962. Secretary general of studies of his Order and general assistant for French Dominican Provinces, he served as an expert at the Secretariat for Christian Unity of the Second Vatican Council. Secretary adjunct of the Secretariat for Christian Unity, he was named its secretary on April 12, 1969. Elected archbishop of the titular see of Lorium and appointed secretary of the Sacred Congregation for Doctrine of Faith on June 14, 1973, he received his episcopal consecration on June 29, at the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica from Pope Paul VI. Named pro-prefect of the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes on April 8, 1984, Hamer was created cardinal deacon in the consistory of May 25, 1985 by Pope John Paul II with the deaconry of Santa Saba and appointed prefect of the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes two days later. Resigning the prefecture on January 21, 1992, he opted for the order of cardinal priests, with his deaconry elevated pro illa vice to title on January 29, 1996. The Cardinal died later that year in Rome and was buried inside the local Campo Verano Cemetery.
Roman Catholic Cardinal. Brussels born Jean Hamer joined the Order of Preachers in September 1934, receiving the religious name of Jérôme. Undergoing studies at the Dominican Studiums of La Sarte and Louvain, following his military service and three months in prison, he pursued further studies at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, from where he earned a doctorate in theology. Ordained priest on August 3, 1941, he served as faculty member of University of Fribourg between 1944 and 1962, of the Pontifical Angelicum Athenaeum in Rome from 1952 until 1953, of the Studium General of La Sarte, and later of the Dominican faculty of Saulchoir in France, of which he also served as rector between 1956 and 1962. Secretary general of studies of his Order and general assistant for French Dominican Provinces, he served as an expert at the Secretariat for Christian Unity of the Second Vatican Council. Secretary adjunct of the Secretariat for Christian Unity, he was named its secretary on April 12, 1969. Elected archbishop of the titular see of Lorium and appointed secretary of the Sacred Congregation for Doctrine of Faith on June 14, 1973, he received his episcopal consecration on June 29, at the Patriarchal Vatican Basilica from Pope Paul VI. Named pro-prefect of the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes on April 8, 1984, Hamer was created cardinal deacon in the consistory of May 25, 1985 by Pope John Paul II with the deaconry of Santa Saba and appointed prefect of the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes two days later. Resigning the prefecture on January 21, 1992, he opted for the order of cardinal priests, with his deaconry elevated pro illa vice to title on January 29, 1996. The Cardinal died later that year in Rome and was buried inside the local Campo Verano Cemetery.
Bio by: Eman Bonnici
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