The invention relates to a bulk catalyst comprising at least 60 wt % metal oxidic particles comprising one or more Group VIII metals and Group VIB metal molybdenum, comprising less than 10 mole % of a second Group VIB metal and comprising a Group V metal in an amount less than 10 mole %, which bulk catalyst has been calcined at a temperature below a temperature where the hexagonal metastable crystal structure changes to an inactive crystalline structure, and which bulk catalyst has a metastable hexagonal phase characterized by an X-ray diffraction pattern having reflections at 33-35 and 58-61 °2θ; and to a process for the manufacture of the bulk catalyst, to the corresponding sulphided bulk catalyst and to the use of said bulk catalyst or sulphided bulk catalyst in the hydroprocessing of a hydrocarbon feedstock.