Indonesia’s New Nuncio Calls Priests to Walk Together in Digital Age at National Assembly

Synodality is not simply a conference or a series of meetings but a willingness to listen, wait and continue walking together, Archbishop Walter Erbì, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Indonesia, told diocesan priests gathered in North Sumatra.

Archbishop Erbì delivered the message during the 15th National Assembly of Unio Indonesia, held September 14–18 at the Catholic Center of the Archdiocese of Medan in Pematangsiantar. The gathering brought together diocesan priests from across Indonesia to reflect on their vocation, ministry and fraternity under the theme, “Diocesan Priests: Apostles of Christian Spirituality in the Digital Era.”

The assembly was opened on September 14 by Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC, president of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference.

For Archbishop Erbì, who began his mission as the Holy See’s representative in Indonesia in early September, the assembly provided an opportunity to meet diocesan priests and bishops from different parts of the country.

“Synodality is not a conference, but a willingness to wait and continue walking together,” Archbishop Erbì said during one of his reflections.

He placed fraternity and communion at the heart of priestly ministry, emphasizing that priests are not called to minister in isolation but to walk with their brother priests, bishops and the people entrusted to their pastoral care.

The assembly also examined the challenges and opportunities presented by the digital environment. Social media and digital platforms have created new possibilities for evangelization, catechesis and pastoral outreach, but the discussions emphasized that priestly ministry cannot be reduced to producing digital content or building an online presence.

Technology can serve the Church’s mission, participants noted, but it cannot replace personal encounter, spiritual depth or the authentic witness of a priest’s life. The challenge is therefore to engage the digital world while remaining rooted in prayer, vocation and communion.

The assembly concluded with a Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph Parish Church and Pastoral Complex in Pematangsiantar, presided over by Archbishop Kornelius Sipayung, OFMCap, of Medan, with bishops and hundreds of priests concelebrating.

In his homily, Archbishop Kornelius emphasized the importance of diocesan priests to the pastoral life of the local Church and called them to live their vocation with integrity.

“A priest is not defined only by his ability to carry out pastoral activities. The witness of his life is an inseparable part of his vocation,” he said.

He also urged priests to use digital technology wisely for evangelization and pastoral ministry without allowing it to diminish their spiritual depth.

“Technology should remain a means of ministry, not become the center of a priest’s life,” Archbishop Kornelius said.

The assembly was formally closed by Bishop Siprianus Hormat of Ruteng. A gong was sounded during the closing ceremony, symbolizing not only the end of the five-day gathering but also the priests’ return to their dioceses to continue their ministry.