The new Indonesian ambassador to the Vatican: messenger of pluralism

Journalist and former seminarian, Trias Kuncahyono is preparing to begin his service after the appointment of President Joko Widodo, a reader and admirer of him. He has always strongly supported the need for politics to guide civil society towards a common good shared by all citizens.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Journalist Trias Kuncahyono is preparing to officially begin his post as Indonesian ambassador to the Holy See. In the next few days he will travel to Rome to deliver his letter with the president's credentials to Pope Francis, starting his first diplomatic experience abroad.

Trias is an authoritative figure of Indonesian Catholic civil society and columnist of the weekly "Kredensial". For this reason, President Joko Widodo - a reader of him - chose him as the new Indonesian ambassador to the Holy See.

Kuncahyono had only touched on this role a few years ago. However, his appointment had been blocked during the last "authorization" process due to an internal rivalry in the politics of the South-East Asian country.

For this he said he was excited about the role: "I never thought that one day I would be chosen as a high-profile figure in a foreign diplomatic mission," said Trias, recalling how his father had always advised him never to be too ambitious.

"A few months ago - he added - I was officially informed that President Jokowi himself wanted me as ambassador to the Holy See among the dozens of Indonesian personalities who aspired to this post". The way in which Kuncahyono describes how political power should guide civil society towards a common good shared by all citizens.

Born in Yogyakarta, Central Java Province, Trias Kuncahyono entered Mertoyudan Seminary in 1974. He later studied political science at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. He started his journalism career first at Suara Karya and later at Kompas for more than three decades – where he also served as deputy editor-in-chief, often covering the Middle East – until he resigned when he reached the age of retired.

It took Pope Francis just two days to approve him. Surely the family and cultural background of Kuncahyono who studied as a seminarian also had an influence. In addition, his uncle is Bishop Emeritus of Ketapang Diocese in West Kalimantan, Monsignor Blasius Pujaraharja, while his aunt, Sister Yosepha SPM is part of the Congregation of St. Mary the Virgin of Amersfoort

Many wishes have arrived to Trias Kuncahyono for his new experience, starting with that of his former seminary companions: "You will be a messenger of the Indonesian Catholic Church and its pluralism".