Alison Girone
CV NEWS FEED // The president of the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia recently commented in support of the request of Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syuker of Bogor to not be made a cardinal, according to recent reports.
Bishop Syuker was included among 21 archbishops, bishops, priests, and a monsignor who Pope Francis recently announced would be created cardinals. Following this, Bishop Syuker asked that he would not be made a cardinal — a request which Pope Francis granted, according to an October 22 Holy See Press Office announcement.
Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News reported that Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung, president of the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia, expressed both surprise and support.
“The news is shocking,” he said. “We respect Bishop Paskalis’ decision. He knows what is best for himself, his diocese, and the Church in general. Let’s pray.”
According to UCA News, the superior general of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Family expressed worry about Bishop Syuker’s decision.
Superior General and Indonesian Fr. Antonius Purnama Sastrawijaya said, “We are concerned,” describing the announcement as “very shocking.”
According to Asia News, after the initial news broke about Bishop Syuker being appointed a cardinal, “everyone in the local community had already stressed the great simplicity of this bishop. And today his gesture is seen in continuity with this human trait of his.”
The Holy See Press Office’s announcement noted that Bishop Syuker’s request to not become a cardinal is “motivated by his wish to grow further in priestly life, in the service of the Church and the people of God.”
Bishop Syuker is a member of the Order of Friars Minor, and served as Provincial of the Order in Indonesia for eight years before becoming Bishop of Bogor, according to Vatican News.
