The Vatican on Wednesday, December 8, named Father Seno Ngutra, a native of Langgur from Southeast Maluku, as the new bishop of the Diocese of Amboina in Maluku.
His appointment was announced at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral Church in Ambon by Archbishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi, the diocese’s apostolic administrator.
Archbishop Mandagi is now prelate of the Diocese of Merauke in Papua.
Father Ngutra was born in Waur on Nov. 7, 1970. He attended his primary studies in his village and later in the Judas Thaddeus Minor Seminary in Langgur.
He attended both his philosophy and theological studies in Pineleng High School of Philosophy and Theology in North Sulawesi Province.
He was ordained priest of the Diocese of Amboina on Oct. 6, 2001, and has since carried out his pastoral duties as formator at Judas Thaddeus Seminary in Langgur until 2003.
He was appointed as the diocese’s chief economist director of the Pontifical Missionaries Works until 2007.
Father Ngutra lated attended further studies dogmatic theology and Church law at the University of Santo Thomas in Manila.
After completing his studies, Father Ngutra was assigned as parish priest at St. John Maria Vianney Church in Ambon. He was also named chairman of the diocese’s Commission for the Laity, and head of Amboina’s Diocesan Priest Association.
From 2017 until the date of his appointment as bishop, Father Ngutra served as member of Amboina’s Judicial Team and Secretary.
