Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 2 June 2007 accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Atambua (Indonesia) presented by Bishop Anton Pain Ratu, S.V.D., in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1.
On the same day the Holy Father appointed Rev. Dominikus Saku, Bishop of Atambua (Indonesia). Until now Rev Dominikus Saku, a member of the clergy of Atambua, was Professor and Formator at the major seminary in Kupang.
The Bishop elect Dominikus Saku was born on 3 April 1960 in Taikas, in the diocese of Atambua. He attended the local diocesan minor seminary and then studied philosophy and theology at St Peter's Seminary, at Ritapiret, Maumere. He was ordained a priest on 29 September 1992 and ministered as follows: 1992-1995: Assistant at St Damian Propaedeutic seminary, Atambua; 1995-1999: higher studies in philosophy at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome; since 1999: Professor of philosophy at Kupang major seminar and at Widya Mandira Catholic University, Kupang; since 2001: in charge of discipline at Kupang major seminary; since 2003: assistant at the parish mission station of Baun and at the cathedral in Kupang.
The diocese of Atambua, suffragan of Kupang, was created in 1961, it has a area of 5,177sq km and a population of 503,508 of whom 478,475 are Catholics gathered in 54 parishes assisted by 150 priests, (101 diocesan and 49 religious), 205 women religious and there are 111 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2007; Righe 17; Parole 237)
