On Feb11, thousands of faithful filled the Cathedral Church of Larantuka Diocese in East Flores Island of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, Indonesia, to witness the episcopal ordination Father Yohanes Hans Monteiro as the Bishop of Larantuka – in the very church where he received Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation, Confirmation, and priestly ordination.
The episcopal ordination was presided over by Larantuka Emeritus Bishop Msgr. Fransiskus Kopong Kung as principal consecrator, assisted by Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden SVD of Ende and Bishop Ewaldus Martinus Sedu of Maumere—three native sons of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.
With this ordination, Bishop Yohanes Hans Monteiro officially assumes pastoral leadership of the Diocese of Larantuka, which encompasses the easternmost part of Flores Island and Lembata Island.
Witnessed by thousands of faithful and dozens of bishops
The Eucharistic celebration was attended by 38 bishops, both active and emeritus. Around 300 priests and more than 5,000 Catholics from across Flores took part in the historic moment.
Also, present was Msgr. Michael A. Pawlowicz, chargé d’affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature to Indonesia. In his remarks, he expressed gratitude to Bishop Emeritus Fransiskus Kopong Kung for 40 years of dedicated service to the Church.
Addressing the newly ordained bishop, he conveyed a message from the Holy See: “Monsignor Hans, Pope Leo XIV has chosen you to love the Church of Christ and to be a living image of the Father’s love for all of us. I trust that you will carry out this mission with zeal and generosity.”
The ordination marks the pastoral transition from Bishop Fransiskus Kopong Kung, who has shepherded the diocese since 2004, to his successor—also a native son of Larantuka.
“One Body, One Spirit, One Hope”
In his homily, Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden SVD, co-consecrator, reflected on the new bishop’s episcopal motto: “Unum corpus, unus spiritus, una spes — One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”
He described the motto as a call that embraces all groups within society and invites the faithful to transcend divisions. “We live under the same sky and stand upon the same earth,” he said.
Yet he also warned of widening social gaps: “The gap between those who live in abundance and those who suffer in extreme poverty; between those at the centre of power and those pushed to the margins. We often build walls separating ourselves from people of different ethnic backgrounds or political choices. We live with latent suspicion toward those of different beliefs.”
For this reason, he emphasized, the Church is called to be a visible sign of unity and hope.
“I come as a servant”
In his first address as new prelatus, Bishop Yohanes Hans Monteiro acknowledged that becoming a bishop was not a personal ambition but a calling and grace from God through the Church. “I come not as the owner of the Church, but as a servant of communion among the faithful,” he said.
He stressed that episcopal ordination is not a personal honour but a mission of service. For the local Church of Larantuka, this moment reaffirms that Christ continues to accompany His people—from the time the seeds of faith were planted by Dominican, Jesuit, and Divine Word missionaries to the present day.
He made special mention of survivors of the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, as well as residents around Mount Ile Lewotolok in Lembata Island, where volcanic activity remains unstable. “In these circumstances, the Church is called to be present, to listen, and to accompany with love,” he said.
He acknowledged that after the emergency response period ends, assistance often diminishes, while permanent housing reconstruction is still planned for next year. In such situations, he noted, the Church must remain faithful in walking alongside suffering communities.
The shepherd’s journey
Bishop Yohanes Hans Monteiro was born in Larantuka on 15 April1971. He studied at St. Domingo Minor Seminary in Hokeng before continuing at the Institute of Philosophy and Creative Technology (IFTK) Ledalero.
After completing his Pastoral Orientation Year at St. Joseph Parish in Lewotobi, he was ordained a priest on 14 July 1999 in Larantuka.
He taught at St. Domingo Minor Seminary (1999–2004) before pursuing higher studies at the University of Vienna, Austria, where he earned Licentiate and Doctoral degrees in Liturgical Theology (2005–2018).
Upon returning to Indonesia, he lectured in liturgy at IFTK Ledalero and served as a formator at St. Peter Major Seminary in Ritapiret.
Since 2022, he has also been a member of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference Commission for Liturgy.
Pope Leo XIV appointed him Bishop of Larantuka on November 22, 2025.
Now, from the cathedral that witnessed his lifelong journey of faith, Bishop Hans Monteiro begins a new chapter of pastoral leadership.
Amid social challenges, natural disasters, and the complexities of modern life, the Church of Larantuka entrusts its future to one body, one spirit, and one shared hope.
