Indonesian Bishop Resigned After Pressures from Holy See
Leo XIV appointed Bishop Christophorus Tri Harsono of Purwokerto as Apostolic Administrator of Bogor according to yesterday’s bulletin from the Holy See Press Office.
Bishop Syukur is a Franciscan. He resigned 12 years after being appointed and 12 years before the age of 75.
The Diocese of Bogor in West Java serves about 83,000 Catholics and was established in 1948.
Out of Obedience to the Holy See
The Vatican did not provide a reason for the decision, and there have been no public reports of health issues.
The Diocese of Bogor confirmed that Bishop Syukur read a resignation letter during a farewell event on January 19. Quoting 2 Timothy 4:7, he said: “"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Behind every administrative decision, I believe God's hand is weaving a plan. I accept this with inner joy, because obedience to the Holy See is a promise God holds steadfast."
Bishop Syukur added: "Regarding my resignation as bishop, there are indeed pressures and difficult circumstances surrounding it. However, I choose not to view it as a human and worldly defeat. I am not resigning because of guilt, but because I love the unity of the Church."
The diocese tried to frame the resignation as a “spiritual transition”.
Local Indonesian media interpreted the resignation as an act of humility and continuity with his refusal of the cardinalate.
Declined to Become Cardinal
In 2019, Bishop Syukur was appointed a member of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
He met Francis on September 4, 2024, during the Pope’s visit to Indonesia. He became internationally known on October 6, 2024, when Francis announced him among the 21 bishops to be created cardinals at the December 2024 consistory.
On October 22, 2024, the Holy See Press Office announced that Bishop Syukur had asked not to be created cardinal.
According to the Vatican, the request was motivated by his desire “to grow further in priestly life, in the service of the Church and the people of God.”
Following that decision, media reports raised questions regarding his handling of abuse cases in the Diocese of Bogor. An apostolic visitation was conducted but the allegations were unfounded. The visitation yielded "positive" results.
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