UCA News
Contribute

Indonesian Archbishop Johannes Pujasumarta dies at age 65

Catholics take to social media to express grief
Indonesian Archbishop Johannes Pujasumarta dies at age 65

Archbishop Johannes Pujasumarta of Semarang leads a blessing of the Assumption of Mary statue in Ambarawa, Central Java, on Aug. 15. (Photo by Katharina R. Lestari)

Published: November 11, 2015 04:54 AM GMT
Updated: November 10, 2015 08:09 PM GMT

Archbishop Johannes Maria Trilaksyanta Pujasumarta of Semarang died Nov. 10 from lung cancer.

The archbishop, 65, died in Semarang's St. Elizabeth Hospital, where he was admitted more than a month ago.

Not long after being hospitalized, the archbishop received the sacrament of anointing of the sick from retired Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja of Jakarta. A photo of the encounter was widely circulated on social media.

The archbishop was diagnosed with lung cancer in June 2014 and underwent treatment several times after that, according to his niece, Agnes Dyah Permatasari.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Nov. 13 at St. Paul Major Seminary's chapel in Kentungan, Yogyakarta, followed by burial in the seminary's cemetery.

Archbishop Pujasumarta was born in Surakarta, Central Java, on Dec. 27, 1949. He was ordained a priest June 25, 1977; appointed bishop of Bandung on May 17, 2008, followed by ordination on July 16, 2008. He was appointed archbishop of Semarang Nov. 12, 2010, and installed on Jan. 7, 2011. He served as secretary-general of the Indonesian bishops' conference from 2012 until his death.

 

Simple person

Father Fransiskus Xaverius Sukendar Wignyosumarta, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Semarang, said the archbishop was a "simple person."

"He wholeheartedly loved and paid attention to his people," he told ucanews.com. "He didn't like protocol, he wanted to get closer to his people directly."

He said Catholics, particularly in the archdiocese, felt the loss.

"On social media, many Catholics expressed their grief. One says 'thanks for your service,' another one asks 'why did you go so fast?'"

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia