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Indonesian archdiocese opens new cathedral

Thousands of Catholics attend first Mass at St. Mary of Perpetual Help Cathedral Church in Samarinda Archdiocese
Indonesian archdiocese opens new cathedral

Police officers are deployed to provide security at the opening of the St. Mary of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on April 30. (Photo by Dimas/ucanews.com)

Published: May 01, 2019 09:15 AM GMT
Updated: May 01, 2019 09:25 AM GMT

Catholics in Samarinda Archdiocese in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan province have a new cathedral church, which was inaugurated on April 30.

The new church is being hailed as one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and is a modern design that displays the cultural heritage of ethnic Dayak people, the biggest tribal group in the region.

The inaugural ceremony for the St. Mary of Perpetual Help Cathedral Church was led by the papal nuncio to Indonesia, Archbishop Piero Pioppo and East Kalimantan Governor Isran Noor.

Thousands of Catholics — including dozens of bishops, priests and nuns — as well as leaders of other religions attended the ceremony.

“This cathedral is a symbol of diversity in East Kalimantan. It brings happiness to all people, not only Catholics,” Indonesian news portal Tribunnews.com quoted Noor as telling the gathering.

Catholics attend the inaugural Mass in the new St. Mary of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Samarinda on April 30. (Photo by Dimas/ucanews.com)

 

Father Moses Komela Avan, the parish priest at St. Mary's Cathedral, said the church was now the biggest in East Kalimantan and could accommodate 4,000 worshipers.

He said its interior and exterior design is enhanced with carvings and paintings from Dayak tribes, while Gothic and contemporary architecture can be seen with the church’s tower and balcony.

"The Catholic mission has been present among the Dayak people for 114 years. That is why this cathedral was designed in their honor,” Father Komela told ucanews.com.

During yesterday’s ceremony, Dayak people from five tribes performed traditional dances for the attendees who included Ignatius Jonan, the only Catholic minister in Joko Widodo’s cabinet.

“We hope the new church will increase people’s love for the Catholic Church and encourage more people to come to Mass,” Father Komela said.

Holy Family Archbishop Justinus Hardjo Susanto of Samarinda said the cathedral aims to unite Catholics from various tribes and show appreciation of the local people and culture in general.

“The presence of this cathedral can strengthen the faith of Catholics and the unity of all religions, tribes, and ethics,” he told ucanews.com.

According to Father Komela, the new church was needed because the original cathedral — built in 1953 — could only accommodate 800 people. The cathedral parish itself has about 7,000 Catholics.

Construction of the new church began in July 2017 and has cost about 60 billion rupiahs (approximately $4.2 million).

"The provincial government contributed 53 billion, while the rest came from the Church," Father Komela said.

Samarinda Archdiocese was established on Jan 21, 1961. It now has about 116,000 Catholics spread over 25 parishes.

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