Pope appoints new archbishop in Indonesia

By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis on Saturday appointed a new archbishop in Medan in Indonesia. Fr. Kornelius Sipayung, OFM Cap, until now Minister Provincial of Medan, is the new Archbishop of Medan in North Sumatra province.  

He takes over from Archbishop  Anicetus Bongsu Sinaga, who has stepped down having reached the canonical retirement age of 75 two years ago.

Fr. Sipayung was born on August 26, 1970 in Bandar Hinalang-Kabanjahe in Medan Archdiocese.  After attending the Minor Seminary of Christus Sacerdos in Pematangsiantar, he completed his philosophical and theological studies at St. John's School of Philosophy and Theology in Pematangsiantar.  He made his perpetual vows on August 22, 1998 and was ordained a priest on December 11, 1999.

After his ordination Fr. Sipayung held the following responsibilities:

* 1999-2002: Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Assumption in Kabanjahe, Medan

* 2002-2005: Studied Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome; then attended an English language course for six months in Brisbane, Australia

* 2005-2015: In charge of formation of Capuchin Seminarians in Pamatangsiantar; Lecturer in various theological disciplines at St. John's School of Philosophy and Theology, Pematangsiantar

* 2012-2015: Guardian in Pematangsiantar; Vice-Minister Provincial of Medan

* from 2015: Minister Provincial, re-elected in 2018 for a further term until 2021

Fr. Sipayung was also a member of the Indonesian Capuchin collaboration group which brings together representatives of the two Provinces of Medan and Pontianak, as well as the two Custodies of Sibolga and Nias.  He is also a member of the Pacific-Asia Capuchin Conference (PACC).  

At the national level, he is a member of the Theological Commission of the Episcopal Conference of Indonesia; at the diocesan level, he is a member of the Presbyteral Council and Administrator of the Harapan Jaya Foundation and of Caritas.