Bishop Syukur declines cardinal appointment

Nov 01, 2024

VATICAN: The Vatican announced on the evening of October 22 that Pope Francis had accepted the request of Indonesian Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur, OFM, not to be made a cardinal in a December consistory as had been previously announced.

The bishop’s request “was motivated by his desire to continue growing in priestly life and in service to the Church and the people of God,” a brief message from the Holy See Press Office said.

While thousands of Indonesian Catholics enthusiastically extended their best wishes to congratulate him on being appointed as a new cardinal on Oct 7, Bishop Syukur told his closest friends and allies that Pope Francis’s decision had ‘really surprised’ him. “Even I myself never expected such news,” he said
Most Catholics in Indonesia rejoiced at Pope Francis naming Syukur as a cardinal. Born on the Catholic-majority island of Flores, he would have been the first cardinal in Indonesia to come from outside Java.
His naming was considered a form of Vatican recognition of the diversity of the Catholic community in Indonesia.

Bishop Syukur, 62, was born in Ranggu, on Flores, Indonesia’s Catholic-majority island. A Franciscan, he was ordained a priest in 1991. In 2001, he became the provincial superior of the Indonesian province, before being appointed in 2009 as the superior for the Asia-Oceania region within his order. In November 2013, Pope Francis named him Bishop of Bogor. As the general secretary of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, he played a key role in preparing for Pope Francis’ September 3-6 visit to his country.

However, within hours of the news of his selection as cardinal, a wave of protests emerged on social media.
One of the main criticisms against Bishop Syukur was his failure to take adequate action in response to two serious sexual abuse cases in his diocese in 2020, both involving children and teens as victims:

First, several altar boys were allegedly abused by their mentors at St Herculanus Parish Church.

Second, children and teens were reportedly abused by a former religious brother at a local orphanage.”

Both incidents occurred in Depok Regency, which falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Bogor Diocese. At that time, Indonesian media outlets sharply criticised the bishop for not adequately addressing these issues.

His critics resurfaced the day the bishop was officially declared a cardinal candidate from Indonesia, along with 20 others worldwide.

“Pope Francis’s decision to nominate (Bishop Syukur) as a cardinal will only reinforce the character of the Catholic Church of Indonesia as being detached from marginalised people seeking justice.

If a bishop has failed to safeguard victims of sexual offenses, then what can be expected from a new cardinal — something beyond basic safeguarding?” wrote Made Supriatma on social media.

“Frankly speaking, I am utterly mad and disappointed with the Pope’s choice to elect him, mostly because of his irresponsibility and failure to ensure proper justice for the perpetrators of the sexual abuse cases in Depok Regency. I am done with the Catholic Church and its clerical figures,” he concluded.

“This news is indeed very shocking and surprising,” said Bishop Antonius Subianto OSC of the Bandung Diocese, also located in West Java Province. He currently serves as the president of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), where Bishop Syukur is the Secretary-General.

“We must respect Bishop Syukur’s decision not to accept the cardinalate status, as he knows what is best for him personally, for Bogor Diocese, and for Indonesian Catholics. We are expected to pray for him,” Bishop Anton added while still in Rome attending the synod sessions.

Addressing the breaking news that shocked Indonesian Catholics, a senior priest issued a statement emphasising that “today’s news raises an urgent issue for both our Indonesian hierarchy and our church-goers: safeguarding protocols must be more rigorously enforced.”

A close friend of the bishop attempted to contact him for clarification regarding his decision to decline the Pope’s nomination. “So far, I have not received any hints,” he said.

In Indonesia, both bishops and priests often enjoy a privileged status as “communal leaders” of their congregations, which can sometimes make them appear “distant” from the people.

A friend also complained that even sending texts to bishops or priests asking for information or confirmation often goes unanswered.

He criticised the feudalistic attitude of clerics, which is sometimes reinforced by the Catholic congregation’s tendency to treat them as “super” figures.


Even the Vatican News only hinted that Bishop Syukur wanted to focus on his personal growth “in service to the Church and the people of God.”-- Agencies