The Order writes a new page in its missionary history with its first Papuan bishop

On May 14th, 2025, in the Tiga Raja (Three Kings) Cathedral Church, our confrere Bernardus Bofitwos Baru OSA was consecrated as the new Bishop of Timika (Indonesia).

Accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Monsignor Piero Pioppo, the Archbishop of Merauke, and the Bishop of Manokwari-Sorong, Father Bernardus assumed the leadership of his new diocese just days after the election of Pope Leo XIV.

This constitutes a "historic appointment" for the Order, being the first indigenous Augustinian bishop in the entire Asia-Pacific region. Appointed on March 8th by Pope Francis, Monsignor Bernardus took possession of his diocese shortly after the election of a new Augustinian Pope.

Representing the Prior General and the Order of Saint Augustine were the Assistant General for the Asia-Pacific region, Father Tony Banks, and the Procurator General and Assistant General for Africa, Father Edward Daleng, who shared his reflections on this new appointment.

"He is the first bishop we have in the Asia-Pacific region"

The Augustinians have been evangelising in Papua for over 70 years. "Monsignor Bernardus, who hails from the western part of the island, has done magnificent parochial, pastoral, and educational work, which has had a very significant effect on vocational growth. The vicariate is growing considerably," affirmed Father Daleng a few days after attending this historic moment in the life of the Order.

"He is the first Papuan Augustinian bishop. This demonstrates the Church's trust in our work as evangelisers and formators in this part of the world. Because of this, we are profoundly grateful to Pope Francis, Pope Leo XIV, the Nuncio, and the entire episcopal conference for the confidence placed in our confreres to undertake the many challenges that lie ahead in Indonesia."

Currently, Papua boasts one of the Order's largest formation programmes. We have 11 young men in the initial stages, either in community or experiencing rural life in the villages of West Papua; another 11 in the novitiate, and 35 students with simple vows, studying philosophy and theology; in addition to six ones engaged in ministerial and parochial work.

Indonesia remains, to the present day, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, with approximately 229 million adherents, representing about 87% of its total population. The majority of Muslims in Indonesia belong to the Sunni branch, specifically the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence.

For Unity, Justice, and Peace

In the homily of the Mass marking the commencement of his episcopacy at Tiga Raja Cathedral in Timika, the day after his ordination, Monsignor Baru emphasised the importance of unity, justice, and peace in the West Papua region, highlighting the Church's role as a haven and house for dialogue and reconciliation.

Monsignor Bernardus expounded upon the episcopal motto he has chosen to shepherd the people entrusted to him by the Church: "Ego Sum Ostium" ("I am the gate," Jn 10:7-9). Thus, Monsignor Bernardus sought to underscore that the Church must be a secure refuge for all, especially the most vulnerable. He also exhorted the faithful and priests to strengthen communion and service, following Christ's example as the Good Shepherd. Indeed, during the ceremony, the religious serving in the Diocese of Timika renewed their vows.

A Faith Flourishing Amidst Adversity

As both Fr. Tony Banks has consistently reported during his numerous visits to the area over the years, and Maurizio Misitano, director of the Augustinians for the World Foundation, the situation experienced by the Papuan people is marked by profound tensions with the government.

"We need to grasp the reality of what is transpiring there, the work being undertaken on issues such as land reform, the tension with the Indonesian army, and the reality of human rights abuses being perpetrated. These are tasks that must be addressed before and during evangelisation," asserted Father Banks to the office shortly after the 70th anniversary of the Augustinian presence in the area.

"This is a region experiencing land dispossession, degradation of land, and a constant erosion of self-determination. People are at times refugees in their own land while Indonesia continues to overwhelm the Papuan population with transmigration from other areas of Indonesia."

"There is a very diverse reality – linguistic, cultural –, " the director of the Augustinians for the World Foundation informs us. Formation and social work, educational support programmes, human rights initiatives, and agricultural matters are our primary priorities."