New bishop ordained

AMBON, Maluku: Monseigneur Petrus Mandagi was ordained on Sunday to head the Amboina Roman Catholic Church, to replace Bishop Andreas Petrus Cornelius who is retiring after 30 years of service and dedication to the Maluku province.

The ordainment ceremony -- held at the Sports Hall building -- was attended by Monseigneur Pietro Sambi, the Vatican ambassador to Indonesia. The ceremony also saw bishops from various parts of Indonesia and also from Darwin, Australia, the Antara news agency reported.

A 1,000 choir, directed by priest J.B. Phantoan, also contributed to the ceremony. All of the hall's 5,000 seats were filled and some people had to follow the proceedings from outside the building.

Monseigneur Mandagi, who has been serving the church in Manado, North Sulawesi, will now oversee the Catholic interests throughout the entire Maluku archipelago. (emb)