Pope Accepts Resignation of Scandal-hit Indonesian Bishop

By Ryan Dagur, Jakarta and Ferdinand Ambo
La Croix International
October 12, 2017

https://international.la-croix.com/news/pope-accepts-resignation-of-scandal-hit-indonesian-bishop/6105

Bishop Hubertus Leteng is accused of misappropriating more than US$100,000 in church funds. (Photo by Ferdinand Ambo)

Bishop Hubertus Leteng of Ruteng was accused of misappropriating church funds and keeping a mistress

An Indonesian bishop who was accused by his own priests of misappropriating church funds and keeping a mistress has stepped down from his post.

The pope accepted the resignation of Bishop Hubertus Leteng of Ruteng on October 11 and appointed Bishop Silvester San of Denpasar on Bali Island as apostolic administrator until a new bishop is appointed.

Father Fabio Salerno, the Holy See's ad interim representative in Indonesia, asked priests to work with the apostolic administrator in a spirit of brotherhood, unity, and harmony.

Father Agustinus Manfred Habur, the bishop's secretary, said Bishop Leteng was given 10 days to prepare his move from Ruteng. "However, where he will be moved to is the secret of the Vatican," he told ucanews.com.

The Vatican did not detail reasons for Bishop Leteng's resignation.

However, it is believed to result from a conflict culminating in June with 69 clerics submitting letters of resignation as episcopal vicars and parish priests.