ASIA/INDONESIA - Resignation of the Bishop of Ketapang and appointment of successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI on June 25, 2012 accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Ketapang (Indonesia), by His Exc. Mgr. Blasius Pujaraharja, in accordance with canon. 401 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law and appointed Rev. Pius Riana Prapdi, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Semarang as new Bishop of the diocese of Ketapang. Rev. Pius Riana Prapdi was born on May 5, 1967 in Painiai, in the province of West Papua, the Diocese of Timika. He first entered the Minor Seminary of Magelang, and then St. Paul Major Seminary in Yogyakarta; he studied philosophy and theology at the Faculty Wedabhakti in Yogyakarta, obtaining a licentiate in theology. He was ordained a priest on July 8, 1995, for the Archdiocese of Semarang. After ordination, he then held the following positions: 1995-1997: studies for a licentiate in theology at the Faculty Wedabhakti in Yogyakarta and Assistant priest at St. Mary of Fatima in Sragen; 1997-1999: Pastor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga in Mlati; 1999-2001: Director, Yayasan Dinamika Edukasi Dasar; 2001-2003: studies for a Licentiate in Moral Theology at the Alphonsianum in Rome, residing at the Pontifical College of St. Paul; 2003-2005: Professor at the Faculty Wedabhakti and Assistant priest at Kidulloji; since 2006: Director of the Diocesan Caritas. Since 2008 he has been Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Semarang; from 2009 to 2010 he was also Diocesan Administrator of Semarang. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 26/6/2012)