Not only for most Indonesian Catholics, but it likely also shocked Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur OFM, a soft-spoken Franciscan friar and the current prelate of the Diocese of Bogor in West Java Province in Indonesia.
While thousands of Indonesian Catholics enthusiastically extended their best wishes to congratulate him on being appointed as a new cardinal on Oct. 7, Bishop Paskalis told his closest friends and allies that Pope Francis’s decision had ‘really surprised’ him.
According to some of his friends who spoke to LiCAS yesterday, the bishop was quoted as saying in text messages he sent on Oct. 7: “Even I myself never expected such news.”
Protests emerge
Within hours, a wave of protests emerged on social media.
One of the main criticisms against Bishop Paskalis was his failure to take adequate action in response to two serious sexual abuse cases in his diocese in 2020, both involving children and teens as victims:
- First, several altar boys were allegedly abused by their mentors at St. Herculanus Parish Church.
- Second, children and teens were reportedly abused by a former religious brother at a local orphanage.”
Both incidents occurred in Depok Regency, which falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Bogor Diocese.
At that time, Indonesian media outlets sharply criticized the bishop for not adequately addressing these issues.
Reemerging issues
His critics resurfaced the day Bishop Paskalis was officially declared a cardinal candidate from Indonesia, along with 20 others worldwide.
“Pope Francis’s decision to nominate (Bishop Paskalis) as a cardinal will only reinforce the character of the Catholic Church of Indonesia as being detached from marginalized people seeking justice.
If a bishop has failed to safeguard victims of sexual offenses, then what can be expected from a new cardinal—something beyond basic safeguarding?” wrote I Made Supriatma on social media.
“Frankly speaking, I am utterly mad and disappointed with the Pope’s choice to elect him, mostly because of his irresponsibility and failure to ensure proper justice for the perpetrators of the sexual abuse cases in Depok Regency. I am done with the Catholic Church and its clerical figures,” he concluded.
Alarming Calls to Implement Safeguarding Protocols
“This news is indeed very shocking and surprising,” said Bishop Antonius Subianto OSC of the Bandung Diocese, also located in West Java Province. He currently serves as the president of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), where Bishop Paskalis is the Secretary-General.
“We must respect Bishop Paskalis’s decision not to accept the cardinalate status, as he knows what is best for him personally, for Bogor Diocese, and for Indonesian Catholics. We are expected to pray for him,” Bishop Anton added while still in Rome attending the synod sessions.
Safeguarding protocols enforced
Addressing yesterday’s breaking news that shocked Indonesian Catholics, a senior priest issued a statement emphasizing that “today’s news raises an urgent issue for both our Indonesian hierarchy and our church-goers: safeguarding protocols must be more rigorously enforced.”
A close friend of the bishop attempted to contact him for clarification regarding his decision to decline the Pope’s nomination. “So far, I have not received any hints,” he told LiCAS by phone last night.
In Indonesia, both bishops and priests often enjoy a privileged status as “communal leaders” of their congregations, which can sometimes make them appear “distant” from the people.
A friend also complained that even sending texts to bishops or priests asking for information or confirmation often goes unanswered.
He criticized the feudalistic attitude of clerics, which is sometimes reinforced by the Catholic congregation’s tendency to treat them as “super” figures.
Even the Vatican News only hinted that Bishop Paskalis wanted to focus on his personal growth “in service to the Church and the people of God.”
Mathias Hariyadi is the Founder and Chief Editor of the Indonesian Catholic media platform Sesawi.net. He also serves as the Indonesian correspondent for AsiaNews.it and Fides.org, and contributes to LiCAS News on issues concerning the Church in Indonesia.”
