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Rev. Pujasumarta appointed as new bishop of Bandung diocese
After being vacant for more than two years, the bishopric in Bandung's diocese will be filled
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After being vacant for more than two years, the bishopric in Bandung's diocese will be filled.
Pope Benedict XVI has officially appointed Vicar General of the Semarang archdiocese Rev. Johannes Maria Trilaksyanto Pujasumarta as Bandung's new bishop. Rev. Pujasumarta, who will be sworn in July 15, 2008, replaces Mgr. Alexander Soetandio Djajasiswaja, who passed away on Jan. 19, 2006.
Spokesman for the Bandung diocese Rev. Yoseph Dedy Pradipto said Tuesday the inauguration ceremony would take place at Jakarta's Sasana Budaya Ganesha stadium on Jl. Tamansari from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.. Some 5,000 followers, including VIP guests, are expected to attend.
The inauguration ceremony, conducted as part of a Holy Mass, will be presided over by Jakarta Archbishop Julius Cardinal Darmaatmadja, with Semarang Archbishop Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo and Vatican Ambassador to Indonesia Mgr. Leopoldo Girelli acting as concelebrants, Rev. Pradipto added.
"Popularly known as Romo, Pujo, in his capacity as the new bishop, will serve his first Holy Mass at Saint Peter's Cathedral July 20, 2008," he said. The new bishop will receive the title of "monsigneur" after the inauguration.
The Bandung diocese comprises Bandung, West Bandung, Cimahi, Garut and Cirebon.
Asked about Bandung, Romo Pujasumarta, of Javanese descent, said his unfamiliarity with Sundanese culture would not affect his assumption of duties, as his duty was to serve the people.
"This is a new culture and language and I am appealing to the people, many of whom are Catholic, to walk forward together," he said.
Born in Surakarta, Central Java, on Dec. 27, 1949, Rev. Pujasumarta began his dedication as director of the minor seminary in Mertoyudan in 1977, before being appointed chairman of the Liturgy Commission at the Semarang archdiocese.
He completed his licentiate in spiritual theology at St. Thomas Aquinas University in Rome in 1985, receiving his Ph.D. in the same field, at the same university, in 1987.
After completing his Ph.D., Rev. Pujasumarta, a member of the Jesuit congregation, was appointed rector of the Sanjaya Seminary in Semarang and served as a member of that congregation's Diryakarya Education Foundation from 1990 to 1995.
Rev. Pradipto added the new bishop's presence could be seen as a unifying one for Catholics, as he was expected to fight for religious tolerance and justice in the region's provinces.
Catholics constitute a small group in predominantly Muslim West Java. Besides the Bandung diocese, West Java is home to the Bogor diocese, comprising Bogor, Sukabumi, Rangkasbitung, Lebak and Serang.
