INDONESIA
Catholic Register
BY CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE
June 15, 2017
JAKARTA, Indonesia – Dozens of Indonesian priests have quit their posts after accusing a bishop on the Catholic majority island of Flores of embezzling more than $100,000 of church funds for personal use.
Ucanews.com reported that at least 69 priests from Ruteng Diocese submitted letters of resignation in mid-June, quitting their posts as episcopal vicars and parish priests, and demanded that Bishop Hubertus Leteng heed their calls for a complete overhaul of how the diocese is run.
Bishop Leteng told reporters June 12 that he did not want priests to leave their posts, but stepping down “was their free choice.”
“If you love the church, you must create calm among people,” he said. The bishop refused to comment about the allegations against him.
Father Marthen Chen, spokesman for the priests, said the overhaul is desperately needed “so the church can be truly in line with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
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