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Diocese of Padang

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Diocese of Padang
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History

The history of Padang diocese can be divided into three periods: 7th-18th centuries, colonization (1807-1952), and development (1953 to present).

7th-18th centuries

According to an Arabian wanderer's note written in Arabic, Christianity was first introduced to the people of Sumatra Island in the 7th century. A Catholic Church, St. Mary Church, was established in Barus in the Central Tapanuli and Aceh border area. At that time, Barus was an important trading center for Indians (Malabar) coming to find camphor. Many of them were Christians, who came along with their priests.

In the early 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC, Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) entered the area together with Dutch traders. This caused a trade conflict between Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and British traders. Generally, the Dutch traders were Protestants, the Portuguese were Catholics and the British were Anglicans.

In 1639, two Catholic priests arrived. They were Carmelite Fathers Dionisius and Redemptus.

Colonization Period

In the early 19th century, the Dutch government dissolved VOC and allowed for the spiritual formation of Catholics living in its colonized area. In 1807, the apostolic prefecture of Batavia (now Jakarta) was established. Then came Dutch missionaries and French missionary priests. In 1834, two French missioners, Father Johannes Jacobus Candahl and Father A. Galabert of the Societe de Mission Etrangeres de Paris (MEP, Paris Foreign Missions Society) worked in Padang. But the French missioners were forced by the Dutch colonial ruler to leave the Dutch area in 1835. In 1838, Padang had a resident priest and about 1,000 Catholics, who included Dutch soldiers, civil servants, Eurasians and people of Chinese descent.

In 1853, a priest came to South Tapanuli, but he died a year later. In 1854, the Dutch government issued a law that forbade Catholic and Protestant Churches from doing evangelization work in the same territory. In 1857, a Protestant started evangelization work in South Tapanuli. In 1878, due to the increase of Catholics, a parish was founded in Medan. Other parishes followed.

On June 30, 1911, the apostolic prefecture of Sumatra was founded. Monsignor Liberatus Cluts was its first prefect. His term of office was from 1911-1921. He was succeeded by Monsignor Brans, OFM Cap, who served from 1921-1954. He then resigned and returned to the Netherlands.

On June 27, 1952, the apostolic prefecture of Padang was founded. Monsignor Pasquale De Martino, SX, served as its first prefect until Jan. 3, 1961.

Development Period

The apostolic prefecture of Padang became a diocese on Jan. 3, 1961. On Jan. 6, 1962, Monsignor Raimundo C. Bergamin, SX, was ordained its first bishop. On June 11, 1983, Monsignor Martinus Dogma Situmorang, OFM Cap, was ordained its second bishop.

Geography

The diocese of Padang includes West Sumatra and Riau provinces as well as the Kerinci district of Jambi province.

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