[1] He was appointed to a canonry of Tournai Cathedral, where he established a reputation as a theologian and in 1266 was elected bishop.
In 1274, when Henry of Guelders resigned as bishop of Liège, John was designated as his successor by Pope Gregory X during the Second Council of Lyon.
[1] His predecessor, Henry of Guelders, claimed he was still owed money by the cathedral chapter of Liège and John of Enghien agreed to a meeting with him in Hoegaarden.
Henry had him seized and carried off, but during the abduction he was mortally wounded.
He died of his wounds at Heylissem, near Tienen, on 24 August 1281.