07/19/2012, 00.00
INDONESIA
Send to a friend

Ten new priests ordained in Indonesia

by Mathias Hariyadi
The new clergymen will serve in the dioceses of Semarang (Java) and Nias (North Sumatra). For Semarang bishop, they are a precious gift to the Catholic Church.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The Indonesian Catholic Church is celebrating the ordination of ten new priests in the dioceses of Semarang (Java) and Nias (North Sumatra). Two were ordained last week and will serve as diocesan priests in Semarang. Two young seminarians, missionaries of the Holy Family, were ordained on Tuesday. Four young Jesuit deacons are set to be ordained today. Mgr Ludovicus Simanulang recently ordained two Capuchins in Nias, one of areas most affected by the 2005 tsunami.  

In a message to AsiaNews, Mgr Johannes Pujasumarta, archbishop of Semarang, said he was moved by the gift of these young men to the Church. "Each priestly ordination is not only a blessing for the parishes, dioceses and religious order, but for all Catholics," he explained.

The prelate said he hoped that the presence of the new clergymen would provide an experience of faith and hope for all Catholics in order to bear new fruits for the Archdiocese of Semarang and the entire Indonesian Church.

In a country of 232 million people, Christians represent 11.8 per cent, 6 million Catholics.

Despite attacks and persecution by extremist Muslim groups, the Indonesian Church is very much active with some 3,000 priests in 36 dioceses.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
Semarang: 15,000 celebrate new Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko
22/05/2017 14:00
Sorong diocese celebrates the 70th anniversary of its cathedral with two priestly ordinations
05/12/2017 17:01
Catholic music to promote dialogue in Ambon, the city of sectarian violence
17/10/2018 13:29
Semarang: after Muslim protests, pork festival changes name
23/01/2017 13:26
National Commission for Women asks for 'immediate action' in the nun rape case in Kerala
07/02/2019 17:28


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”