Joseph De Veuster voted greatest Belgian
{{date|December  2, 2005}}

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Yesterday, December 1, 2005, the election for the [[w:Belg der Belgen|"Greatest Belgian" ("De Grootste Belg")]] was won by [[w:Father Damien|Father Damien  (Joseph De Veuster)]]. Runners up were [[w:Paul Janssen|Dr. Paul Janssen]], founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica, and [[w:Eddy Merckx|Eddy Merkx]], a cyclist.

[[w:Father Damien|Father Damien]] is famous for working and living with lepers on Molokai, where he persisted in caring for the outcasts, against directions of church hierarchy. Eventually, [[w:Father Damien|Father Damien]] died from leprosy himself.

The Belgian "Greatest National" poll is organized separately by the Flemish and the Walloon regional television stations. [[w:Father Damien|Father Damien]] was elected [[w:Belg der Belgen|"Greatest Belgian" ("De Grootste Belg")]] in the poll organized by the Flemish television. Next week, the Walloon poll will conclude, so Belgium will have two [[w:Belg der Belgen|"Greatest Belgians"]].

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.degrootstebelg.be/
|title=De Grootste Belg
|author=
|pub=Canvas, Radio 1
|date=December 1, 2005}}

{{Publish}}

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[[Category:Belgium]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Europe]]
Yesterday, December 1, 2005, the election for the "Greatest Belgian" ("De Grootste Belg") was won by Father Damien  (Joseph De Veuster). Runners up were Dr. Paul Janssen, founder of Janssen Pharmaceutica, and Eddy Merkx, a cyclist.

Father Damien is famous for working and living with lepers on Molokai, where he persisted in caring for the outcasts, against directions of church hierarchy. Eventually, Father Damien died from leprosy himself.

The Belgian "Greatest National" poll is organized separately by the Flemish and the Walloon regional television stations. Father Damien was elected "Greatest Belgian" ("De Grootste Belg") in the poll organized by the Flemish television. Next week, the Walloon poll will conclude, so Belgium will have two "Greatest Belgians".
Belgium Culture and entertainment Europe