Holy See–Indonesia relations

Last updated
Holy See–Indonesia relations
Holy See Indonesia Locator.svg
Flag of the Vatican City.svg
Holy See
Flag of Indonesia.svg
Indonesia

Holy See and Indonesia established diplomatic relations in 1950. Relations are important as part of global interfaith dialogue, because Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim-majority population. [1] Indonesia recognizes Roman Catholicism as one of its six approved religions. The Holy See has a nunciature in Jakarta, [2] while Indonesia has an embassy in Rome. [3]

Contents

History

There have been relations between the Holy See and Indonesia since the era of the Majapahit empire. Between 1318 and 1330 CE, Mattiussi, a Franciscan friar, visited several places in today's Indonesia: Sumatra, Java, and Borneo. He was sent by the Pope to launch a mission into the lands of Mongols in the Asian interior. [4] In his report, he described the marvelous palace of the Javanese King and the war with the Great Khan of China. It was the court of Majapahit king Jayanegara in Trowulan that was visited by Mattiussi. [5]

During the colonial era of the Dutch East Indies, some parts of Indonesia, such as Flores, were known as Catholic-majority areas. During colonial times, most Europeans residing in the Dutch East Indies were Protestants; however, the teachings of the Catholic Church began to spread there in the 19th century. In 1947, Vatican established an Apostolic Delegation in Indonesia (then Dutch East Indies) with a Dutch government permit. [6] The Holy See recognized the Republic of Indonesia on 16 March 1950 and put an apostolic delegate in the country. Official relations between the Republic of Indonesia and Holy See were established in 1950, after independence from the Netherlands, with the status of Apostolic Internunciatur. [7] [8] In December 1965, the status changed to Nunciatur Apostolic.

There have been two papal visits to Indonesia: those of Pope Paul VI in December 1970, [9] and of Pope John Paul II in October 1989. [10] They both paid a courtesy visit to President Suharto. During his visit, Pope John Paul II celebrated a Mass and addressed a crowd of 130,000 Indonesian Catholics congregated in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. [11] Since September 2017, the Apostolic Nunciature to Indonesia has been assigned to Archbishop Piero Pioppo. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Taiwan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between the Holy See and the Republic of China were established on a non-diplomatic level in 1922 and at a diplomatic level in 1942. The Holy See, under the One-China policy, recognizes the Republic of China as the representative of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–United Kingdom relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–United Kingdom relations are foreign relations between the Holy See and the United Kingdom.

The Holy See has long been recognised as a subject of international law and as an active participant in international relations. One observer has stated that its interaction with the world has, in the period since World War II, been at its highest level ever. It is distinct from the city-state of the Vatican City, over which the Holy See has "full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign authority and jurisdiction".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canada–Holy See relations</span> Bilateral relations

Although the Roman Catholic Church has been territorially established in Canada since the founding of New France in the early 17th century, Holy See–Canada relations were only officially established during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Ireland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–Ireland relations are foreign relations between the Holy See and Ireland. The majority of Irish people identify as Roman Catholic, according to census data. However, views on actual church dogma both on social and spiritual matters varies significantly, and weekly mass attendance is below 40%. The Holy See has an Apostolic Nunciature in Dublin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Argentina–Holy See relations</span> Bilateral relations

Foreign relations between Argentina and the Holy See, have existed for over a century. The current pope, Pope Francis, was the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Pakistan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–Pakistan relations are foreign relations between Pakistan and the Holy See. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1961. The Holy See has a nunciature in Islamabad. Pakistan's embassy in Switzerland is accredited to the Holy See.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–India relations</span> Bilateral relations

India-Holy See relations are the bilateral relations between the India and Holy See, which is sovereign over the Vatican City. Formal bilateral relations between the two exist since 12 June 1948. An Apostolic Delegation existed from 1881. The Holy See has a nunciature in New Delhi while India has accredited its embassy in Bern, Switzerland to the Holy See as well. India's Ambassador in Bern has traditionally been accredited to the Holy See. In a break from tradition, it was announced in October 2020 that Jaideep Mazumdar, India's ambassador to Austria would be the next ambassador to the Holy See. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli was appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio to India in March 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Uruguay relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–Uruguay relations are foreign relations between the Holy See and Uruguay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesia–Portugal relations</span> Bilateral relations

Indonesia and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1950. Portuguese explorer and trader first reached Indonesian archipelago during the age of exploration in the 16th century in order to search for spices in the Indies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indonesia–Italy relations</span> Bilateral relations

Indonesia and Italy established diplomatic relations in the early 1950s. Italy has shown strong desire to improve its relations with Indonesia, especially in intercultural understanding and trade. Indonesia recognizes Italy's strategic location and important role in the middle of Mediterranean region, while Italy has favoured relations with Indonesia, and sees Indonesia as the leader in Southeast Asia. The relations between two countries not only important to bridge the two regional communities; European Union and ASEAN, but also vital as intercultural and interfaith dialog, since Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, and Italy is the heart of the Catholic faith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy See–Philippines relations</span> Bilateral relations

Holy See–Philippines relations refers to the relations between the Holy See and the Philippines. As one of two Catholic-majority countries in Asia, the Philippines enjoys significant relations with the Holy See. The Holy See has a nunciature in Manila, and the Philippines has an embassy to the Holy See based in Rome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apostolic Nunciature to Indonesia</span> Diplomatic post of the Holy See

The Apostolic Nunciature to Indonesia, unofficially known as the Vatican Embassy in Jakarta is a diplomatic position within the Vatican, equivalent to an embassy. It is located at Jalan Merdeka Timur 18 in Central Jakarta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apostolic Nunciature to Bangladesh</span> Diplomatic post of the Holy See

The Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See to Bangladesh is the diplomatic mission of the Holy See to Bangladesh, equivalent to an embassy. It is located at U.N. Road 2, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212. The position of Apostolic Nuncio is currently vacant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democratic Republic of the Congo–Holy See relations</span> Bilateral relations

Democratic Republic of the Congo–Holy See relations refers to the current relationship between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Holy See. The two states have seen an increase in their cooperation in recent years, and due to the large number of Roman Catholics in the DRC, President Joseph Kabila has made an effort to maintain good relations with the Vatican.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central African Republic–Holy See relations</span> Bilateral relations

Central African Republic–Holy See relations refers to the current and historic relationship between the Central African Republic and the Holy See. Diplomatic relations between the two states were established in 1967, but only in recent years they have been increasing their cooperation, with high level visits being made by Pope Francis and President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to each other's countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgaria–Holy See relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bulgaria–Holy See relations were formally established in 1990, shortly after the fall of the Bulgarian communist government. Since then, Bulgaria and the Holy See have had an increase in relations, with Pope John Paul II visiting the country in 2002, and more recently visits from Secretary of State Angelo Sodano (2005) and Pietro Parolin (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Piero Pioppo</span> Italian prelate of the Catholic Church (born 1960)

Piero Pioppo is an Italian prelate of the Catholic Church, who has been Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brazil–Holy See relations</span> Bilateral relations

Brazil–Holy See relations refers to the current and historical relations between Brazil and the Holy See. Catholicism was introduced in Brazil in 1500 by the Portuguese Empire, and it is the country's predominant faith. Brazil also has the world's largest Catholic population. Since the adoption of the Constitution in 1891, Brazil is a secular nation.

References

  1. Margareth S. Aritonang and Ina Parlina (March 15, 2013). "Indonesian Muslims seek better ties with new pope". thejakartapost.com. The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  2. "Indonesia (nunciature)" . Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  3. "Embassy of Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See". indonesiavatican.it. Embassy of Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See. Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  4. "Habig ofm ed., Marion, "Blessed Odoric Matiussi of Pordenone", The Franciscan Book of Saints, Franciscan Herald Press, 1959". Archived from the original on 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  5. Hall, Kenneth (1996). "Ritual Networks and Royal Power in Majapahit Java, page:100". Archipel. Persee. 52 (1): 95–118. doi:10.3406/arch.1996.3357 . Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  6. Steenbrink, Karel (2015-03-27). Catholics in Independent Indonesia: 1945-2010. ISBN   9789004285422.
  7. "Vatican-Indonesia Diplomatic Relations | Apostolic Nunciature Indonesia".
  8. "Vatican Indonesia' relations". catholicherald.co.uk. Catholic Herald. 10 March 1950. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  9. "Address of the Holy Father Paul VI to the President of the Republic of Indonesia - Djakarta, Indonesia Thursday, 3 December 1970". Vatican.va. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  10. Haberman, Clyde (October 10, 1989). "Pope, on Delicate Ground, Visits Indonesia". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 August 2013.
  11. Pope John Paul II (1989). "Holy Mass in the Stadium of "Istora Senayan" in Jakarta, Indonesia". catholicnewsagency.com. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
  12. "Archbishop Piero Pioppo". Catholic Hierarchy. Retrieved 14 June 2018.