Capuchin Bishop Ludovikus Simanullang of Sibolga. (Photo courtesy of Indonesian Bishops Conference/Dokpen KWI)
Capuchin Bishop Ludovikus Simanullang of Sibolga in Indonesia's North Sumatra province has died at the age of 63 after a short illness.
Father Blasius S. Yesse, the diocese secretary told ucanews.com that the bishop died in St. Elizabeth Hospital in the provincial capital Medan on Sept. 20.
According to Father Yesse, the bishop's body will be placed in St. Terese of Lisieux Cathedral Church in the port city of Sibolga.
The funeral is scheduled to take place on Sept. 23.
The bishop will be buried in the cemetery of St. Peter Minor Seminary in Aek Tolang village in Central Tapanuli district, Father Yesse said.
Bishop Simanullang was born in Barus, Central Tapanuli district, on April 23, 1955.
He was ordained a priest within the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin on July 10, 1983.
Pope Benedict appointed him bishop of Sibolga on March 14, 2007, and he was installed on May 20, 2007.
During his time as bishop he served as chairman of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference's Commission for Seminaries.
Selfi Yanti Bali, a 40-year-old parishioner from Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Teluk Dalam of South Nias district, said the prelate's death is a big loss to for the diocese.
"He was a simple person and very humble. He always supported activities organized by local Catholics. Once I had the opportunity to talk with him about the Community of Sant'Egidio, and he gave us his support for our activities," she said, adding that she hoped the new bishop would be like him.