Holy See-Indonesia relations

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The Holy See-Indonesia relations is important as part of global interfaith dialogue since Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim majority population, and Indonesia recognize Roman Catholicism as one of its six approved religions. The Holy See has a nunciature in Jakarta, while Indonesia has an embassy in Rome.

Video Holy See-Indonesia relations

History

There have been relations between the Holy See and Indonesia since the era of the Majapahit empire. Between 1318-1330 CE, Mattiussi, a Franciscan monk, visited several places in today's Indonesia: Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. He was sent by the Pope to launch a mission into the lands of Mongols in the Asian interior. In his report he described the marvellous palace of the Javanese King and the war with the Great Khan of China. It was the court of Majapahit king Jayanegara in Trowulan that was visited by Mattiussi.

During the colonial era of the Dutch East Indies, some parts of Indonesia, such as Flores, were known as Catholic majority areas. During colonial times, most Europeans residing in the Dutch East Indies were Protestants; however the teachings of the Catholic church began to develop there in the 19th century. The Holy See recognized the Republic of Indonesia on 6 July 1947 and established an Apostolic delegate in the country. Official relations between the Republic of Indonesia and Holy See was established in 1950 with the status of Apostolic Internunciatur. In December 1965, the status changed to Nunciatur Apostolic.

There have been two papal visits to Indonesia: those of Pope Paul VI in December 1970, and of Pope John Paul II in October 1989. They both paid a courtesy visit to President Suharto. During his visit Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass and addressed a crowd of 130,000 Indonesian Catholics congregated in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. Since March 2011 the Apostolic Nuncio of Holy See to Indonesia is assigned to Bishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi.

Maps Holy See-Indonesia relations

See also

• Catholicism in Indonesia

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References

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External links

• Embassy of Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See

Source of the article : Wikipedia