Saint Francis Xavier has been chosen by the Indonesian Episcopal Conference as the patron saint of the new Catholic temple, in honor of the Jesuit missionary who began his mission in the Indonesian archipelago in 1546. The cornerstone for the Cathedral Basilica is set to be laid in October.
Nusantara – Indonesia (07/29/2024 19:06, Gaudium Press) The new capital of Indonesia, Nusantara, in Indonesian Borneo, will soon be home to a Basilica dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier. This ambitious project is part of the new capital’s development, led by the outgoing Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, and soon to be handed over to the newly elected Prabowo Subianto.
The Ministry of Public Works will oversee the construction, with the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs managing the project. The interior decoration and liturgical furnishings will be handled by the Directorate for the Catholic Community, in collaboration with the Indonesian Episcopal Conference.
The cornerstone for the Cathedral Basilica is set to be laid in October. The project also includes buildings for the Episcopate headquarters, pastoral structures, and other necessary offices.
Saint Francis Xavier has been chosen by the Indonesian Episcopal Conference as the patron saint of the new Catholic temple, in honor of the Jesuit missionary who began his mission in the Indonesian archipelago in 1546.
The Basilica will be located near the national mosque, following the model of Jakarta where the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and the Istiqlal Mosque stand opposite each other, symbolizing religious harmony in the country.
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
