Jakarta (AsiaNews) – The Catholic Church marked 60 years in Surakarta, a community with a deep faith and strong cultural traditions rooted in Java, with a celebration that was also an act of thanksgiving for the people at a landmark venue, the Mangkunegaran Palace, this according to Herman Yoseph Singgih Sutoro, who spoke to AsiaNews.
The clergyman expressed hope that Catholics will feel increasingly like an integral part of the community and make their presence a source of blessing. “Let us unite ourselves with society. Let the Church be present in the midst of society and bring blessings to everyone,” he said.
A historic Catholic presence
A special atmosphere filled the great pavilion of the Mangkunegaran Palace in Surakarta, Central Java, yesterday evening.
Thousands of the faithful from across the Solo Raya region gathered not only to celebrate the anniversary of the Catholic presence in Surakarta but also to reaffirm that Catholicism can take root and flourish within the richness of local culture.
Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko of Semarang led the Eucharistic celebration of thanksgiving, at once festive and solemn, joined by the Episcopal Vicar of Surakarta, Father Herman, and by dozens of local priests and those serving in other parts of the archipelago.
Distinctly Javanese elements characterised the liturgy and the accompanying programme, ranging from traditional clothing and music to cultural performances.
For the Catholic Church in Central Java, the choice of the Mangkunegaran Palace as the venue for the event went far beyond mere logistical considerations.
The grand pavilion boasts a long history of openness towards the Catholic community. On 24 December 1957, the site hosted the Christmas Eve Mass led by Mgr Albertus Soegijapranata, then Apostolic Vicar of Semarang, with the permission of Mangkunegara VIII, the ruler of the Islamic principality of Mangkunegaran in Surakarta.
Thus, the celebration, held in the same location nearly 70 years later, revived a significant memory of the encounter between the Catholic faith and local culture and tradition.
The celebration for the 60th anniversary was themed Nyawiji, Mawutuh, Andum Berkah, three characteristic Javanese expressions that offer a framework for reflecting on the Church’s journey in the Surakarta region.
Nyawiji conveys the spirit of unity and solidarity amid diversity, also reflecting the Church’s commitment to walking together in a synodal spirit. Mawutuh calls upon Catholics to build a strong, united community while strengthening the bonds of fraternity. Andum Berkah encourages Catholics to share generously and become a blessing for the Church, society, and everyone they encounter.
Faith and culture moving forward together
The presence of Catholics at the Mangkunegaran Palace demonstrates that faith and culture need not be kept separate; on the contrary, they can move forward together in a spirit of mutual respect, care, and preservation of the local cultural heritage.
Members of the royal family also attended the celebration, bearing witness to the long-standing bond between this local cultural institution and the Catholic Church in the Surakarta region.
The historic building hosted the event, reiterating its openness to the community and underscoring the importance of preserving culture as a means to strengthen "fraternity amid diversity."
The presence of Catholics at the palace was, therefore, more than just a liturgical event; it was also a cultural and social gathering, creating a unique atmosphere while fully respecting the solemnity of the liturgy and local traditions.
The Surakarta Catholic region, which includes the city of Surakarta and six neighbouring regencies (Boyolali, Karanganyar, Klaten, Sragen, Sukoharjo, and Wonogiri), is part of the Archdiocese of Semarang and was established on 7 October 1966.
Its creation was part of the pastoral territorial reorganisation of Semarang and aimed at bringing ecclesial services closer to Catholics and the community at large.
Sixty years later, the region has become a key hub of the faith in Central Java, with 29 parishes and one mission station, organised into various pastoral areas, with a Catholic population of about 92,000 people served by more than ten priests.
The Church's presence manifests itself in ways that go beyond parishes and liturgical activities alone. In fact, the region is also home to various educational institutions, healthcare facilities, social services, spiritual training centres, and religious training houses, as well as sites of pilgrimage and devotion.
In the educational sector, Catholic institutions include schools and foundations managed by organisations like Pangudi Luhur, Marsudirini, Tarakanita, Kanisius, and other Catholic bodies.
In the fields of healthcare and social welfare, the region serves the entire community through hospitals, clinics, social institutions, and various charities.
Looking to the future
Finally, celebrations for the 60th anniversary marked the culmination of months of activities involving Catholics from across the region, including Eucharistic celebrations, community gatherings, social initiatives, educational activities, and other programmes aimed at strengthening fellowship among Catholics.
During the main celebration, the joy of faith was also expressed through various artistic and cultural performances, featuring traditional music, performances by schools and parishes, recitations of seloka poetry, and a theatrical concert titled Kawula Satuhu, which involved numerous artists.
The event was not merely an occasion to look back nostalgically at the Church’s past, but also provided an opportunity to look towards the future.
The venue offered a setting of great symbolic significance for this message. In the very same pavilion where a Christmas Mass had been celebrated nearly 70 years earlier, Catholics gathered once again for the Eucharist.
Indeed, the Church grows not by distancing itself from a people's culture, but by being present, fostering dialogue, and building fellowship, which is why Nyawiji, Mawutuh, Andum Berkah are intended to be more than just a celebratory slogan.
