ASIA/INDONESIA - The Indonesian Catholics are inspired by the martyrdom of Mgr. Johannes Aerts

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Ambon (Agenzia Fides) – The Dutch missionary Johannes Aerts, of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Apostolic Vicar of Langgur, killed by Japanese troops with five other priests and eight confreres on July 30, 1942 is a model and an inspiration for Indonesian Catholics today. As reported to Agenzia Fides, the priests of the Union of diocesan priests in Indonesia - which has recently renovated its vertices in the XI national Assembly - visited the tomb of the apostolic Vicar, which is in Langgur. The Union hopes that the martyrdom will soon be officially ascertained so Mgr. Aerts can be beatified. Mgr. Aerts has already been honored by the locals as "martyr".
At that time, 70 years ago, there were only two Apostolic Vicariates in Indonesia: Batavia (old name of Jakarta) and Langgur. In 1960, the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate was transferred from Langgur to Ambon, capital of the Maluku islands.
The Christian faithful of the Diocese of Amboina and surrounding dioceses are promoting many activities to reflect on their faith, based on the experience of Mgr. Aerts, cultivating "the spirit of martyrdom". Mgr. Aerts also founded a women's congregation, the Order of Mary Mediator. Some nuns of the order and some lay people claim today that "many prayers were accepted and answered by God through the intercession of Mgr. Aerts", explaining that all the faithful are convinced of the sanctity of the missionary. (PCP-PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/11/2014)


Share: