Diocesan Pastoral Centre
We are a part of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. This centre is property of the Bestuurscollege van het Aartsbisschoppelijk Seminarie of Mechelen (which translates into English as the Board of Directors of the Archbishop’s Seminary of Mechelen) and is managed by the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels.
We live inspired by the life of Jesus, thus bearing warm witness to our calling to be a serving pastoral centre.
The Major Seminary is an open and hospitable oasis in the heart of Mechelen.
As a conference centre, we create a warm environment for people to meet each other, work together and find inspiration.
With a broad and people-oriented vision, we are happy to receive everyone who come here to work, learn, organise or participate in activities.
The team
Every day, our staff members and volunteers receive visitors with customer-oriented professionalism.
The day-to-day direction is in the hands of Peter De Cuyper. In the reception area, Linda Oksuz welcomes you, supported by a team of volunteers who take on the afternoon shift.
Krista Voet is Peter’s right hand. As well as this, she takes on other areas including the communication, the administration of personnel and volunteers, the social shelter and is the driving force behind student affairs. She does this together with Paul Van Assche, who, along with Eddy Bauwens and Herman Maes, takes care of our gardens, including the atrium and the garden by the restaurant.
Sarah Van Bets is responsible for invoicing and reserving rooms, as well as the catering, for internal services. She shares her office with our youngest colleague, Marie Van Gucht. As an event planner, she looks after the organisation and reservations of all events from external clients, as well as group dining events.
Our caretaker is Chris Peersman, who works together with the sisters of the Elia community. Chris also solves a lot of our technical problems. The overarching technical needs – heating, fire safety, electricity, etc. – are followed up by Aiko Van den Bosch. Khadija El Fard ensures rooms and bathrooms are clean and inviting.
The catering team
Our maître d’, Leen Desloovere, welcomes you to our restaurant and makes sure every lunch, reception and party runs smoothly. From Yumbel, Chef Bert Van de Werf and San Dhuygelaere commit with great passion to the catering. Pascale De Meirsman supports maître d’ Leen in the restaurant. As well as this, he ensures coffee is available in the meeting rooms, and breakfast prepared for all guests who stay overnight with us.
Contact us
Preferably: dpcm@dpcm.be
General telephone number: 015 29 84 11 (during office hours, 8h and 17h)
Addresse: F. de Merodestraat 18, 2800 Mechelen
Visits by appointment only
