The Episcopal consecration of Mgr Yohanes Harun Yuwono as head of
the Diocese of Tanjungkarang, in the province of Lampung, on the southern tip
of the island of Sumatra, was a "celebration of faith" that drew
thousands of Indonesian Catholics.
The ceremony was characterised by a "simplicity"
of style that deeply reflects the heart of the new bishop.
Episcopal celebrations
in the Asian country a rare event. Organised in stadiums, sports arenas and
other large buildings, they often take on the character of a festival - unlike priestly
ordinations, which are usually celebrated among a restricted circle of family members.
However, Mgr
Yuwono's consecration reflected the bishop's sensitivity and took place in a local
Catholic school; a moving ceremony, without frills, attended by a large number
of people.
The consecration
of the new bishop of Tanjungkarang occurred last week in Bandar Lampung. At
first, Mgr Yohanes Harun Yuwono had asked for a private and intimate ceremony, but
then accepted a public celebration because of the interest and desire for
community participation.
The rite took
place on 10 October in the local Xaverian school in the presence of over 10,000
faithful, 32 bishops and 200 priests together with hundreds of men and women
religious.
The Apostolic
Nuncio to Indonesia Mgr Antonio Guido Filipazzi and Cardinal Julius
Darmaatmadja were among those present.
The new
bishop chose 'Non Est Personarum Est Acceptor Deus' as his motto, a revealing choice
about his family and future life as a prelate, as someone who grew up in a
simple environment, among Christian and Muslim relatives, able to live in a
harmony and peace.
Bishop
Yuwono is a PhD graduate in Islamic studies from Rome's Pontifical Institute of
Arab and Islamic Studies (PISAI). He has served as rector at the Higher
Seminary in Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra.
In the
past, he had asked to be assigned as a priest in his diocese of origin. After spending
time in Pangkalpinang, he returned (astonished and surprised at Pope Francis'
choice) to Tanjungkarang in the role of bishop and pastor, replacing the
distinguished Bishop Henri Soesanto who retired.
Now, the
task of leading a multi-ethnic diocese will fall on him, one that is home to thousands
of migrants from Java and Bali, with their own language and culture.
Experts
note that his expertise and knowledge about Islam will be "extremely
useful" in the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI).
Indonesia
is the most populous Muslim nation in the world. Catholics are a small minority
of about seven million, or 3 per cent of the population. In the Archdiocese of
Jakarta, the faithful reach 3.6 per cent of the population.
Although
the country's constitution recognises religious freedom, Catholics have been
the victims of violence and abuse, especially in areas where extremist visions
of Islam are entrenched, like Aceh.
Still,
Catholics are an active component in society and contribute to the nation's
development as well as to emergency operations when they arise, as was the case
in last January's devastating flood.