ASIA/INDONESIA - Bishop of Banjarmasin resigns, successor appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on June 14, 2008, accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Banjarmasin (Indonesia) presented by Bishop Franciscus Xaverius Rocharjanta Prajasuta, M.S.F., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father appointed as Bishop of Banjarmasin (Indonesia), Father Petrus Boddeng Timang, pastor of the Cathedral of Makassar.
The bishop-elect was born July 7, 1947 in Malakri Tana Toraj, Archdiocese of Makassar. After having attended the elementary schools in Malakiri, he entered the Minor Seminary in Makassar. He completed studies in philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary in Semarang. He was ordained a priest on January 13, 1974 for the Archdiocese of Makassar. He has since ministered as follows: 1974-1978: Formator at the Minor Seminary in Makassar and, at the same time, Chaplain at the Catholic University; 1979-1982: Rector of the Major Seminary in Yogyakarta; 1982-1986: studies for a degree in Pastoral Theology from the Angelicum in Rome; 1986-1992: Rector of the Major Seminary in Yogyakarta; 1992-1995: Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Panakkukang, Makassar; 1995-1999: Rector of the University Atma Jaya in Makassar; 1999-2001: Pastor of the Siti Fatima Parish, Banteang. Since 2001: pastor of the Cathedral of Makassar and Member of the College of Consultants.
The Diocese of Banjarmasin, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Samarinda, was erected in 1961. It has an area of 37.530 km. sq. and a population of 3.135.000 inhabitants, of whom 18,200 are Catholics. There are 9 parishes, 4 diocesan priests, 18 religious priests, 7 religious men, 15 religious women, and 3 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 16/6/2008)