Indonesian Catholics celebrate the new diocese of Labuan Bajo
It will be led by Rev. Maksimus Regus, of the Ruteng clergy, until now rector of the local Catholic University of St. Paul. The territory is among the few in the archipelago where the Catholic presence is predominant (215 thousand out of a population of 276 thousand). The decision is linked to a "better pastoral service" for the community of the faithful.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Indonesian Christians are celebrating a new diocese in the country. On 21st June, in fact, Pope Francis erected Labuan Bajo, in the Catholic-majority area of Flores Island, in the province of East NUsa Tenggara (Ntt), and appointed as its first bishop the Reverend Maksimus Regus, of the Ruteng clergy, until now rector of the local Catholic University of St. Paul. Hundreds of faithful and dozens of priests attended the announcement made by Bishop Siprianus Hormat, Bishop of Ruteng, in the Church of the Holy Spirit in Labuan Bajo, in an atmosphere of joy that involved the entire community.
The new diocese of Labuan Bajo covers an area that is now a popular tourist destination, but until a few years ago, it was still a remote area in the westernmost sector of the Indonesian archipelago that was predominantly mountainous. Today, however, it is one of the most popular exotic holiday destinations, so much so that it has received comments and attention from local and international travellers. From sea trips to the booming economy, it is a driving force for the tourism sector throughout the country.
The new diocese of Labuan Bajo has a territorial extension of 3141 km2, a population of almost 276,000 people of which more than 215,000 are Catholics. There are 25 parishes, 67 diocesan priests and 23 religious, plus 30 seminarians and 19 other non-priest religious. There are 78 women religious. Pope Francis appointed Mgr Maksimus Regus, born on 23 September 1973 in Woang, regency of Manggarai, in the current diocese of Ruteng, to lead the diocese. The prelate attended the Pontifical Roman Minor Seminary Pius XII and studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Major Seminary St. Petrus-Ritapiret, in Maumere.
He was ordained to the priesthood on 10 August 2001, after which he held various positions and deepened his studies, including: parish vicar of Christ the King (2001-2007); chairman of the diocesan commission for youth pastoral work and member of the diocesan commission for interreligious dialogue (2002-2007); higher studies at the faculty of socio-political sciences at Universitas Indonesia, Depok (2007); studies in social sciences at the Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam and ad Doctoratum studies at the Universiteit van Tilburg (Netherlands, 201-2017); since 2018 he has been a lecturer at the Catholic University of Saint Paul, Ruteng, and dean of the Faculty of Education and Formative Sciences (2019-2023); finally, since 2020 he has been coordinator of the diocesan priests in Ruteng.
The new diocese - whose formation process started three years ago on the recommendation of the local synod - borrows part of its territory from that of Ruteng, one of the few areas of the country where Catholics are predominant with over 966,000 faithful, 85 parishes and 296 priests. A request transmitted by Mgr Hormat during his ad limina visit and welcomed by the pontiff, confirming the importance of the region for the local Church. Labuan Bajo is located within the district of West Manggarai, which means that it will most likely become the pastoral territory of the new diocese.
Addressing the faithful at the time of the announcement of the new diocese and its first bishop, Bishop Hormat said that the establishment of Labuan Bajo was done for 'better pastoral service', but without elaborating on this. However, with the new territory there will also be some unresolved issues to be settled on the 'management' of some 'properties', including: the Sukma Foundation with its pastoral school; the Sukmatim Foundation with the Kisol Minor Seminary; the Sukmamabar Foundation with the St John Paul II Seminary; and the Ernesto Foundation with its high schools. "From the bottom of my heart, I must admit that I am a sinner and for this I need your support and prayers," emphasised the new Bishop Maksimus Regus as he greeted the community.
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07/02/2019 17:28
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