Second Catholic procession held in Amsterdam since 1578

Yesterday a catholic procession took place in the centre of Amsterdam, from the Keizersgracht Church to the Begijnhof.

Last year the procession also took place, and that was the first time since 1578. In that year, Amsterdam became a protestant city and catholic processions were banned for centuries. Only in 1989 they were explicitly made legal again.

The procession was held at the occasion of the 150 year existence of the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Church.

Several bishops took part in the procession, that attracted some 1,000 participants. Syrian-Orthodox and Surinamese Catholics were also invited to take part.