Catholics in Indonesia have staged a special festival to remember the sacrifice of Dutch missionaries who introduced Catholicism to the region and who were shot dead 75 years ago for the sake of their faith. The festival took place on July 28-30, including arts performance by parishioners from 13 parishes from Amboina Diocese. His Excellency Sacred Heart Bishop Johannes Aerts, the Dutch Apostolic Vicar of New Guinea, along with five priests and eight brothers was shot dead by the Japanese soldiers in Langgur during World War II.
As reported by ucanews.com, Fr. Yohanis Mangkey, secretary of Sacred Heart Congregation in Indonesia Province, remarked that “A cross procession was also staged on 29th July near the place where Bishop Aerts is buried and we also re-enacted the final moments when they were killed.” Further, he added, “Bishop Aerts worked hard for local people that included building schools in remote areas and he was also instrumental in the founding of Mary Mediastrix Sisters, Indonesia’s oldest native sister congregation.”
A concelebrated Mass was also held on July 30 led by Sacred Heart Bishop Benedictus Estephanus Rolly Untu of Manado and Bishop John Philip Saklil of Timika in Papua and more than 10,000 Catholics attended the Holy Mass.
Source: www.ucanews.com
