Indonesia

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The Tuan Ma statue is paraded around Larantuka City during the Semana Santa Holy Week celebrations on Indonesia’s Flores island.

Indonesian island set to become an international Catholic pilgrim destination

Jun 30, 2024

By Kristina Millare

The government of Indonesia plans to boost religious tourism on Flores Island, famous for its history and Catholic heritage. Read more

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni Church, an Indian-Mughal style Catholic church in Medan, Indonesia.

Pope Francis’ Indonesia visit to ‘strengthen message of tolerance, unity, and world peace’

Apr 15, 2024

By Kristina Millare

The Indonesian government has confirmed the country will be the first destination in the 87-year-old pontiff’s apostolic journey to the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 22, 2023.

Pope Francis to travel to Indonesia, Singapore, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea

Apr 12, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis will travel to the Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, the Vatican... Read more

Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, archbishop of Jakarta, in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

Indonesian bishops say Palm Sunday cathedral bombing ‘disgraced human dignity’

Mar 29, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Indonesia’s Catholic bishops have strongly condemned the Palm Sunday suicide bombing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral on the... Read more

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, pictured Sept. 26, 2016.

Indonesian president condemns Palm Sunday bombing at Catholic cathedral

Mar 28, 2021

Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned a bomb attack at a Catholic cathedral after a Palm Sunday Mass that killed two... Read more

An Indonesian policeman stands guard outside a church after an explosion in Makassar on March 28, 2021.

Palm Sunday bombing at cathedral in Indonesia injures Catholics leaving Mass

Mar 28, 2021

A suspected suicide bomb attack has targeted Catholics leaving a cathedral after Palm Sunday Mass on the Indonesian island of... Read more

The Indonesian flag.

Indonesian Catholic bishops call for justice in local elections

Dec 7, 2020

The bishops of Indonesia urged Catholics to participate in the upcoming local elections by voting for Catholics who honor the... Read more

The Indonesian flag.

Killing of catechist alarms Indonesia’s Catholic bishops

Nov 4, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Catholic bishops in Indonesia met with government officials this week to express concern about the violence in Papua after a... Read more

Pope Francis on Easter Sunday April 21, 2019.

Amid coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis' Malta trip postponed

Mar 23, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican stated Monday that Pope Francis’ trip to the islands of Malta and Gozo May 31 has been postponed... Read more

A Catholic church in Rantepao, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Amid terrorism fears in Indonesia, heavy security planned for Christmas

Dec 7, 2019

Authorities in Indonesia are expected to deploy 160,000 security personnel to ensure Christmas and New Year’s celebrations safe, according to... Read more

An inspection of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Philippines, Jan. 28, 2019, a day after suicide bombs exploded at the church.

Indonesian police identify couple responsible for attack on Filipino cathedral

Jul 25, 2019

Indonesian authorities released Tuesday the names of a couple whom they believe to have orchestrated a January terrorist attack on... Read more

Catholic woman with schizophrenia being held for blasphemy in Indonesia 

Jul 8, 2019

A mentally ill woman who identified herself as a Catholic is being held for blasphemy in Indonesia after an incident... Read more

The Great Mosque of Medan.

Indonesian woman loses Supreme Court appeal over blasphemy conviction

Apr 9, 2019

Indonesia's Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a Buddhist woman who was convicted of blasphemy for complaining about the... Read more

Governor Basuki Tjahaja "Ahok" Purnama (L) meets with the Australian ambassador to Indonesia, March 3, 2016.

Christian politician completes two-year sentence for blasphemy in Indonesia

Jan 25, 2019

An Indonesian Christian, the former governor of Jakarta was released from jail on Thursday completing a two-year long sentence for... Read more

Officials look through the wreckage of damaged buildings in Carita, Indonesia on December 23, 2018.

Pope Francis asks for prayers for Indonesia after deadly tsunami

Dec 23, 2018

By Courtney Mares

After a deadly tsunami struck Indonesia Saturday night, killing more than 200 people and injuring hundreds more, Pope Francis has... Read more

A Catholic church in Rantepao, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Heresy-reporting app may undermine Indonesia's religious liberty

Dec 3, 2018

Human rights groups are criticizing a smartphone app being rolled out by the Indonesian government which would allow citizens to... Read more

A boy walks in front of tsunami debris in Palu, Indonesia on Oct. 4, 2018, after a Sept. 28 earthquake and tsunami.

Pope Francis donates for Indonesia earthquake recovery

Oct 4, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis donated to recovery efforts in Indonesia after an earthquake and tsunami devastated the Sulawesi coast leaving at least... Read more

A child stands in front of debris after an Aug. 5 earthquake on Indonesia’s Lombok island.

As death toll climbs from Indonesia quake, Catholic agency takes action

Aug 10, 2018

With hundreds dead and thousands left homeless by a major earthquake in Indonesia last weekend, Catholic Relief Services is working... Read more

Pope Francis at The Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2015.

Pope Francis prays for victims of deadly Indonesian attacks

May 13, 2018

By Elise Harris

After multiple bombings at churches in Indonesia left 11 dead dozens more injured, Pope Francis prayed for the repose of... Read more

Bishop Hubertus Leteng, who resigned as Bishop of Ruteng Oct. 11, 2017.

Indonesian bishop resigns amid embezzlement, affair accusations

Oct 11, 2017

An Indonesian prelate resigned Wednesday as Bishop of Ruteng amid mounting concerns surrounding an alleged mistress and reportedly stolen funds.  Read more