Gustaaf Joos (; 5 July 1923 – 2 November 2004) was a prelate of the Diocese of Ghent, who was elevated to the Catholic College of Cardinals on 21 October 2003 by Pope John Paul II. Biography He studied with Karol Woytyla in the Belgian Pontifical College before the latter's election to Pope John Paul II. Before his nomination as cardinal he was made a member of the St Bavo Chapter in 1961. Canon Joos was a judicial vicar in ecclesiastical tribunals of the diocese of Ghent, doctor in canon law. He was professor at CIBI and the seminary. In 2003 the Vatican published the wish of the pope to create Joos cardinal in the next Consistory. In Belgium everyone was surprised, in the Belgian media he was only known as a parish priest. Belgian media mistook him for another priest just after he was elevated to cardinal. It was the first time in the history of the diocese that a canon was elevated to cardinal. His elevation as cardinal was seen by many as gratitude from Pope John Paul II towards his long-time friend. After announcing his intention to elevate Canon Joos to the rank of cardinal, Pope John Paul also appointed him titular Bishop of Ypres, and Joos was consecrated on 7 October 2003, days before the consistory at which he became a member of the College of Cardinals. After his elevation, Cardinal Joos continued to live in the Diocese of Ghent, serving as a parish priest and as judicial vicar in ecclesiastical tribunals. The cardinal died in Landskouter, and received a pontifical funeral in Saint-Bavo cathedral. He was buried like requested in Landskouter, and not in the Cathedral of Ghent. Interview of Gustaaf Joos with P-magazine Joos gained notoriety in January 2004, when in an interview to Belgian P-Magazine, he said, about homosexuals: "I am prepared to sign here in my blood that of all those who say they are lesbian or gay, at most five to 10 per cent are effectively lesbian or gay. All the rest are sexual perverts. I demand you write this down. If they come to protest on my doorstep, I don't care. I'm just speaking out on what thousands of people are thinking but never get a chance to say. Real homosexuals don't wander in the streets in colourful suits. Those are people who have a serious problem and have to