Holy See–Indonesia relations explained

Filetype:svg

The Holy See and Indonesia established diplomatic relations on 13 March 1950.[1] Relations are important as part of global interfaith dialogue, because Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim-majority population.[2] Indonesia recognizes Roman Catholicism as one of its six approved religions. The Holy See has a nunciature in Jakarta,[3] while Indonesia has an embassy in Rome.[4]

History

There have been relations between the Holy See and Indonesia since the era of the Majapahit empire. Between 1318 and 1330 CE, Mattiussi, a Franciscan friar, visited several places in today's Indonesia: Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. He was sent by the Pope to launch a mission into the lands of Mongols in the Asian interior.[5] In his report, he described the marvelous palace of the Javanese King and the war with the Great Khan of China. It was the court of Majapahit king Jayanegara in Trowulan that was visited by Mattiussi.[6]

During the colonial era of the Dutch East Indies, some parts of Indonesia, such as Flores, were known as Catholic-majority areas. During colonial times, most Dutch people residing in the Dutch East Indies were Dutch Reformed Protestants; however, the teachings of the Catholic Church began to spread there in the 19th century. The Vatican only recognized Indonesia on July 6, 1947 which was marked by the opening of an embassy called the Apostolic Nunciature to Indonesia and assigning Georges-Marie de Jonghe d'Ardoye as the first Vatican ambassador in Jakarta for the period 1947-1955.[7]

There have been three papal visits to Indonesia: those of Pope Paul VI in December 1970,[8] Pope John Paul II in October 1989,[9] and Pope Francis in September 2024.[10] All of them paid a courtesy visit to Indonesian President, with both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II to President Suharto, and Pope Francis to President Joko Widodo. During his visit, Pope John Paul II celebrated a Mass and addressed a crowd of 130,000 Indonesian Catholics congregated in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.[11] Since September 2017, the Apostolic Nunciature to Indonesia has been assigned to Archbishop Piero Pioppo.[12]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Diplomatic relations of the Holy See . 5 September 2022 . 10 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210110022620/https://holyseemission.org/contents/mission/diplomatic-relations-of-the-holy-see.php . live .
  2. Web site: Indonesian Muslims seek better ties with new pope . Margareth S. Aritonang and Ina Parlina . March 15, 2013 . thejakartapost.com . The Jakarta Post . 20 August 2013.
  3. Web site: Indonesia (nunciature) . 20 August 2013 .
  4. Web site: Embassy of Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See . indonesiavatican.it . Embassy of Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See . 20 August 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130814034523/http://www.indonesiavatican.it/News.aspx . 14 August 2013.
  5. Web site: Habig ofm ed., Marion, "Blessed Odoric Matiussi of Pordenone", The Franciscan Book of Saints, Franciscan Herald Press, 1959 . 2013-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130528124639/http://www.franciscan-sfo.org/sts/S0114odor.htm . 2013-05-28 . dead .
  6. Ritual Networks and Royal Power in Majapahit Java, page:100 . Archipel . Persee. 1996. 52 . 1 . 95–118 . 10.3406/arch.1996.3357 . 14 July 2010. Hall . Kenneth .
  7. Web site: Ahok: Vatikan Negara Pertama Akui Kemerdekaan Indonesia. Liputan6.com. id. 15 March 2013.
  8. Web site: Address of the Holy Father Paul VI to the President of the Republic of Indonesia - Djakarta, Indonesia Thursday, 3 December 1970 . Vatican.va . https://web.archive.org/web/20130303031847/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/speeches/1970/documents/hf_p-vi_spe_19701203_presidente_en.html . 3 March 2013 . dead . 21 August 2013 .
  9. Web site: Pope, on Delicate Ground, Visits Indonesia . Haberman . Clyde . October 10, 1989 . The New York Times . 21 August 2013.
  10. Web site: M. . Azmi Syamsul . Ihsan . Nabil . Kurmala . Azis . 2024-09-06 . Pope Francis concludes his Apostolic visit to Indonesia . 2024-09-11 . antaranews.com . en.
  11. Web site: Holy Mass in the Stadium of "Istora Senayan" in Jakarta, Indonesia . https://web.archive.org/web/20120129173045/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/document.php?n=699 . dead . January 29, 2012 . Pope John Paul II . 1989 . . Catholic News Agency . 22 August 2013.
  12. Web site: Archbishop Piero Pioppo . en . Catholic Hierarchy . 14 June 2018.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Holy See–Indonesia relations".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.