New bishop ordained

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)