The Hague: Cardinal Johannes Willebrands known at the Vatican as "The Flying Dutchman" for his travels around the world, has died, the Catholic Church said. He was 96.
Willebrands was named president of the Vatican's Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity in 1969 and held the post for 20 years. The secretariat was renamed the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity by Pope John Paul II in 1988.
"Cardinal Willebrands is primarily linked to ... striving for Christian church unity," the Dutch Catholic Church said in a tribute.
"I especially value him as a bishop who before, during and after the Second Vatican Council worked energetically and expertly for the restoration of Christian unity," said Dutch Cardinal Adrianus Simonis.
Dutch bishops also praised his efforts at church unity around the world, saying that, "Many non-Catholic church leaders will today remember a partner in ecumenical discussions and a personal friend."
One of nine children of a Dutch auctioneer, Willebrands became a priest in 1934. Considered a gifted student, he was sent to Rome to study at the Angelicum Pontifical University. He was named a bishop in 1964 by Pope Paul VI.
Willebrands served as Archbishop of the central Dutch city of Utrecht from 1975-1983. After retiring from that position, he moved again to Rome, where he continued to serve as president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity until his 80th birthday.
