Indonesia: Ongoing formation program for young diocesan priests emphasises “walking together”

Young diocesan priests of Indonesia underwent a three-day ongoing formation program from September 20 to 24, organized by the West Kalimantan Region of UNIO, a private Roman Catholic clerical association. The sessions were held at St. John Paul II Retreat House in Anjongan, Pontianak, West Kalimantan Province.

The program brought together dozens of diocesan priests from across West Kalimantan Province who have been ordained between one and ten years. The goal of OGF is to strengthen fraternity, deepen the spirituality of diocesan priests, and renew their pastoral commitment.

Four dioceses represented

The gathering was attended by young priests from the Archdiocese of Pontianak, the Diocese of Sanggau, the Diocese of Sintang, and the Diocese of Ketapang.

Bishop Samuel Oton Sidin OFMCap of Sintang Diocese, who also serves today as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Pontianak, opened the program by presiding at the Holy Eucharist.

In his homily, Bishop Samuel emphasized the importance of fraternity among local diocesan priests and their shared commitment to “walk together.” He noted that such spiritual strength “keeps alive the flame of hope in the service of the local Church.”

Speakers and contributions

Also present at the opening Mass was Fr. Laurens Sanga, the official representative of UNIO Indonesia, who served as the main resource person for the program.

In addition to Fr. Laurens’ input on the spirituality of diocesan priests, the sessions were enriched by Fr. Maxi Un Bria, Chair of UNIO Indonesia from the Archdiocese of Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, who presented on the importance of OGF, the mission of UNIO Indonesia, and the theme of “Walking Together.”

Fr. Maxi explained that ongoing formation is “a vital bridge for priests to nurture and sustain the grace of the priesthood while weaving bonds of fraternity.”

He underlined that OGF strengthens the spirit of “priest helping priest,” giving space for group dynamics, sharing, and mutual inspiration rooted in the synodal life of the Church.

At the closing Mass of the program, Fr. Maxi invited priests to give thanks for the gift of the priesthood and to live it joyfully in communion with their bishop and fellow priests.

UNIO Indonesia (UNINDO)

Founded in 1955 in the Archdiocese of Semarang, UNINDO has grown into a significant national organization for diocesan priests in Indonesia. It has more than 2,637 members (priests and bishops) in 38 dioceses throughout the country.

The association’s first national conference was held in 1977 in Salam House in Central Java, where a draft document outlining the group’s status was agreed upon by participants. A subsequent conference in Jakarta in 1983 saw representation from almost every diocese in the country.

Two key figures in UNINDO’s development were Emeritus Ketapang Bishop Msgr. Blasius Pujaraharja and his classmate, Father Valentinus Kartasiswojo. Both were instrumental in promoting the association’s presence to the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), despite initial resistance due to the relatively small number of diocesan priests involved at the time.

Msgr. Pujaraharja’s efforts, combined with Fr. Kartasiswojo’s influence as KWI’s Executive Secretary General and UNINDO’s President, helped solidify the association’s role in the Indonesian Church.

New Book on UNINDO’s History

Last year, KWI’s Obor Publisher released a new book titled UNIO INDONESIA, Rumah Bersama Imam Diosesan (UNIO Indonesia, the Common House for All Diocesan Priests), which chronicles the history of UNINDO.

The book, edited by Father Stanislaus Ferry Wijaya from the Diocese of Bandung, includes contributions from various diocesan priests.

(Mathias Hariyadi is a journalist and freelance writer based in Indonesia, who contributes to global Catholic magazines and platforms.)