Quick Facts
Biography
Frank De Coninck (born 1945) was the Belgian Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican), from 26 October 2006 till his retirement in February 2010. Before this he was Marshal of the Royal Household of the Royal Court of Belgium (2002-2006).
Education
He graduated in history at the University of Ghent(1968).
Career
From 1968 till 1975 he was a teacher of history in Congo. He started a career in Belgian diplomacy in 1975 and has been assigned from 1976 till 2000 to diplomatic posts in Barcelona, Nairobi, Islamabad, Rome (the Vatican), Dakar, The Hague, and both Kigali and Kinshasa as ambassador. His last duty before he became Marshal of the Royal Household was at the Central Administration of the Belgian Foreign Ministry, where he was appointed as special envoy for the Great Lakes (Central Africa). As Marshal of the Royal Household he was also head of the management council of the Royal Trust.
He is president of Caritas International Belgium and Cercle Royal Africain et de l’Outre Mer.
Honours
- Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold, by Royal decree.
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown, by royal decree of 19 December 2001.
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX
- Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, decree of 14/10/2002.