New Denpasar bishop stresses dialogue, solidarity

The new bishop of Denpasar, whose diocese covers predominantly Hindu and Muslim provinces including the island of Bali, hopes to strengthen exchange with other groups and increase spiritual growth in the local Church.

“I hope the spirit of dialogue with other parties will be maintained and the spirit of solidarity within Basic Ecclesial Communities be more experienced in daily life,” said Bishop Silvester San Tungga.

The new prelate was speaking after his episcopal ordination on Feb. 19 at the Holy Spirit Cathedral Church in Denpasar, the capital of Bali province. He succeeds Bishop Benyamin Yosef Bria who died in September 2007.

Bishop San said the main challenge the local Church faces is “a minority syndrome.” To overcome this, dialogue with other groups in society must be nurtured and this should start from the Basic Ecclesial Communities, he said.

Denpasar diocese covers the predominantly Hindu province of Bali and the mostly Muslim province of West Nusa Tenggara.

According to an analysis by the local Church in 2006, most Hindus in Bali are open to other religions. However, many Muslims living in Sumbawa Besar and Bima in West Nusa Tenggara, for example, are prejudiced against Catholics and prohibit them from singing during prayer meetings in their homes.

A young man and woman in traditional Balinese dress walk beside Bishop-elect Silvester San Tungga of Denpasar before the start of his episcopal ordination ceremony.

Bishop San, an ethnic Chinese, acknowledged that he has challenges ahead of him. “I am from Flores island and know nothing about the situation in this diocese,” he admitted.

Flores is a majority-Catholic island east of Bali.

Bishop San said he regarded the pluralistic nature of his diocese as something positive. “But this reality might also create competition leading to conflict and division,” he warned.

The new bishop also asked priests and nuns to help him serve the diocese by working together. However, he also noted that “we should count on God´s power instead of our own.” The prelate´s episcopal motto is Deus Incrementum Dedit (God causes growth, 1 Corinthians 3:7).

The island resort of Bali witnessed bomb attacks in 2002 by militant Islamists, which killed 202 people, mostly foreigners. This attack, and another in 2005, severely affected tourism, bringing much economic hardship to the island.

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