Gregorius Thiels

Gregorius Thiels, O Praem., was the 43rd abbot of Averbode Abbey, the last before the French Revolution.
Thiels entered Averbode abbey in 1762. He studied theology at Old [University of Louvain|Louvain University]. In 1774, after his ordination he received the name Gregorius. He was elected abbot in 1770, and by permission of the Emperor sat in the States of Brabant as a member for the First Estate. Four years later, the monks were chased out of their abbey. In 1808, the abbot returned. He died there in 1822.
His portrait painted by Andreas [Bernardus de Quertenmont] is kept inside Averbode Abbey.