Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, 7 April 2004, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Merauke Archdiocese (Indonesia), presented by Archbishop Jakobus Duivenvoorde MSC in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, can. 401 § 1.
The Holy Father has appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Merauke, Reverend Nicolaus Adi Septura MSC, Vicar general and parish priest of Merauke Cathedral.
The Archbishop elect was born on 6 December 1959 in Purwokerto (Java). He studied philosophy and theology at Pineleng major seminary (Manado). He was ordained a priest on 1st February 1989, and sent to work in the Archdiocese of Merauke, in Papua. He has since been parish priest in various dioceses (1989-1997), he then studied for a Master in Pastoral Studies in Manila (Philippines). Since 2001 he has been parish priest of Merauke Cathedral and since 2003 Vicar general of the Archdiocese.
Marauke archdiocese (1966) has 4 suffragan dioceses: Agats, Jayapura, Manokwari-Sorong and Timika. It is situated in the south of West Papua one of the most remote areas of Indonesia. It has a area of 90, 000 sq. km., and a population of 235,000, of whom 135.000 are Catholics (60%), gathered in 25 parishes looked after by 33 priests (6 diocesan and 27 religious, all Missionaries of the Sacred Heart assisted by 47 women Religious and 125 catechists. There are 6 major seminarians Evangelisation began in 1905, with the arrival of the Sacred Heart Missionaries (MSC). (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 30/4/2004; Righe 16; Parole 221)