Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
www.ucanews.com

Archdiocese of Pontianak

Report An Error
Archdiocese of Pontianak
  • Facebook Share
  • Twitter Share

The 39,840 square kilometer (21, 45 percent of West Kalimantan) archdiocese of Pontianak covers seven districts -- Pontianak, Kubu Raya, Kabupaten Pontianak, Singkawang, Sambas, Bengkayang and Landak. It borders with South China Sea in the north and west, Sanggau diocese and East Malaysia in the east, and Java Sea and Ketapang diocese in the south.

Population

Catholics in the archdiocese consists of several ethnic backgrounds, such as: Dayak, Chinese, Javanese, Papuan, Toraja (people of South Sulawesi), and Timorese and Florinese (people of East Nusa Tenggara).

History

The history of Catholicism began in 1313 when a Franciscan priest came to Singkawang, West Kalimantan. It was then widespread to all parts of West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan. In 1688, Jesuit priests arrived in Kalimantan and hence the number of Catholics got bigger. In 1692, Pope Innocent XII established the vicariate apostolic of Borneo. However, the mission did not work since the vicar apostolate was killed by indigenous people. As a result, the Gospel spreading activities were totally prohibited and hence Jesuit priests left Singkawang in 1897.

On Feb. 11, 1905, the Holy See established apostolic prefecture of Dutch Borneo, which was based in Singkawang. As its name suggests, it covered Borneo Island which was occupied by the Dutchs. The prefecture then was entrusted to the Capuchins. On April 10, 1905, Capuchin Father Pacificus Boss was appointed apostolic prefect and he, together with three priests and two brothers, moved to Singkawang on Nov. 30, 1905. At that time, Singkawang had already 150 Catholics.

In 1907, Capuchins opened their first mission station in Laham, East Kalimantan, while Pontianak mission station was opened in 1909. The apostolic prefecture of Dutch Borneo was then based in Pontianak since it was considerably strategic.

Since the Church was broadly developed, the apostolic prefecture was elevated into the apostolic vicariate of Dutch Borneo on March 14, 1918, and Father Pacificius was chosen as vicar apostolic and ordained a bishop on Nov. 17, 1918.

On May 21, 1938, the apostolic vicariate of Pontianak was officially established. Capuchin Bishop Tarcisius Henricus Josephus van Valenberg succeeded Bishop Pacificius, who resigned as vicar apostolic of Pontianak, on Dec.10, 1934.

The apostolic vicariate of Pontianak was elevated into the archdiocese on Jan. 3, 1961, and Capuchin Bishop Herculanus Joannes Maria van der Burgt was appointed archbishop. He died on July 2, 1976. On Feb.26, 1977, Capuchin Bishop Hieronymus Herculanus Bumbun was appointed archbishop of Pontianak. Its suffragan dioceses include Sanggau, Sintang, and Ketapang.

Help us improve the Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory

Asian Saints

Asian Pilgrimages

Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
Support Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory
UCA News
The Asian Catholic Dioceses Directory is the largest information database on the Church in Asia, brought to you by UCA News.
CONTACT US
Union des Nouvelles Catholiques Asiatiques (UCA News, UCAN)
31 Avenue de Ségur,
75007 Paris.
[email protected]