Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Evangelisation and Catholic Church - Presence of a Nestorian diocese in the 7th century at Barus (west cost of the North Sumatra province). Christianity arrived with Europeans in 16th and 17th century who force people in the Moluccas to convert. In Java most Christians are in the city where the Dutch reside. In the 19th century some Javanese spread a sort of rural Christianity.
History of the Catholic Church (cfr. Guida delle Missioni Cattoliche, 2005 - Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione).
7th century Christian communities on Sumatra, and in 9th and 10th also on Java.
1323: Odorico from Pordenone, O.F.M., visits Java, Borneo and Sumatra;
1530: Portuguese start mission in Timor;
1534: Simone Vaz and Francesco Alvarez first missionaries in the Moluccas;
1546-1547: St Francis Xaverio preaches in the Moluccas;
16th century.: Jesuits, Franciscans, Dominicans and secular priests evangelise in the Moluccas, on Java and Sumatra;
1638: Carmelites Denis of the Nativity and Redentore are martyred on Sumatra;
1641: evangelisation resumes in Timor;
1656: a group of Jesuits reach Borneo from the Philippines;
1670 (?): Jesuits in Cebes;
1688-82-93: in Borneo activity of Antonio Ventimiglia;
1692: Vicariate Apostolic of Borneo created:
Beginning 19th century.: no missions in Indonesia except for Flores and Timor;
1807-1808: Catholic missionary work resumes in Java. Batava Apostolic Prefecture created;
1835: Mission resumes in Sumatra;
1842: Batavia raised to Apostolic Vicariate including Dutch East Indies;
1848: Holy See and Netherlands reach agreement over Indonesia;
1855: Apostolic Prefecture of British Borneo created;
1859: Arrival of Dutch Jesuits. Evangelisation reaches large islands;
1902: Apostolic Prefecture of Eastern Indonesia created and entrusted to the Sacred Heart Missionaries;
1905: Apostolic Prefecture of Borneo created (separated from Batavia);
1911: Apostolic Prefecture of Sumatra (Padang) created and entrusted to the Capuchins;
1913: Apostolic Prefecture of the Lesser Sunda Islands entrusted to the Steyl Fathers;
aggregation of Flores and new Apostolic Prefecture;
1918: Vicariate Apostolic of Dutch Borneo created (Pontianak);
1922: Vicariate Apostolic Lesser Sunda;
1923: Sumatra divided into three Apostolic Prefectures;
1926: ordination of first Indonesian priest;
1932: mission allowed in Bali;
1936: Vicariate Apostolic of Dutch Timor (Atambua) created entrusted to the Steyl Fathers;
1940: ordination of first Indonesian Bishop A. Soegijapranata, a Jesuit. Portuguese Timor raised to the rank of Diocese (Dili);
1947: Apostolic Delegation opened (Jakarta);
1949-1950: Apostolic Inter-nunciature opened;
1955: first Catholic University in Indonesia opened in Bandung;
3 January 1961: Hierarchy instituted and new Ecclesiastical Provinces;
16 October 1989: Pope John Paul II visits Indonesia.
Catholic Church in Indonesia (cfr. Guida delle Missioni Cattoliche, 2005 - Congregatio pro Gentium Evangelizatione). Baptised Catholics: 5.928.824 (3,09%). archdioceses: 10. dioceses: 25. bishop: 40. Military ordinary: 1. parishes: 1.104. diocesan priests: 1.240. religious priests: 1.789. permanent deacons: 15. Brothers: 876. Women religious: 7.242. Catholic schools: 4.925.
Charity institutions: 652. The Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples is responsible for the 10 archdioceses and the 25 dioceses and the Military Ordinariate. (fine) (J.M.) (Agenzia Fides 13/7/2007 - righe 55, parole 537)
