ASIA/INDONESIA - The Pope establishes diocese of Maumere and appoints first Bishop

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 14 December 2005, established the diocese of Maumure (Indonesia) with territory taken from the archdiocese of Ende making it suffragan of the same metropolitan see. The Holy Father appointed first Bishop of Maumere (Indonesia) Rev. Vincentius Sensi until now director of Ende Pastoral Centre.
The new diocese of Maumere (nom. lat. Maumeren/sis/) covers the eastern part of the territory of the archdiocese of Ende (Island of Flores) corresponding to the civil district Sikka. It has an area of 1,732 kmq, and a population 270.000, including 259.598 Catholics gathered in 30 parishes, assisted by 60 diocesan priests and 63 religious priests, 47 Brothers 150 sisters 166 catechists, the diocese runs 210 schools and has 26 major seminarians. The parish church of St Joseph will be the cathedral of the new diocese.
The first bishop of Maumere rev. Vincentius Sensi was born at Saga, near Ende on 11 July 1951 of an aristocratic Catholic family. Ha studied in Indonesia and in the Philippines for a Licentiate in pedagogical pastoral at La Salle College in Manila. He was ordained a priest on 11 May 1980. He has since been Prefect and Professor at the minor seminary(1980-1982); higher studies in Manila (1982-1985); in charge of pastoral and spiritual formation for seminarians; assistant parish priest while teaching religion at a nurses training school (1985-1994). Since 1995 director of Ende Pastoral Centre. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/12/2005; Righe 68; Parole 257)