Through History, We See The Importance Of The Bombed Makassar Cathedral
JAKARTA - A suicide bombing exploded in the Makassar Cathedral Church. This explosion killed two people and recorded nine people injured. Another note is about the Makassar Cathedral Church itself, which is an important symbol of Catholic life in Makassar. What is the history of the Makassar Cathedral Church like?
The bomb exploded at 10.20 a.m local time at the alternative gate of the church. When the explosion occurred, the congregation was still carrying out services in the church. After the explosion, Mayor Danny Pomanto immediately communicated with a number of church administrators.
Danny Pomanto wants all parties to calmly respond to this crime. Danny knows the importance of this church for the life of the people in Makassar. "Let's just wait for a complete police report," said Danny Pomanto in an interview with Kompas TV.
"What is clear is that we share our duties. I am in the church congregation, at least it gives peace. This church is the oldest church, a symbol of Catholicism in Makassar. Stay at home, don't post pictures that weaken us all," added Pomanto.
History of the Makassar Cathedral Church
Quoted from various sources, the Makassar Cathedral Church has the official name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church. Previously, this church was named the Ujung Pandang Cathedral Church. Makassar Cathedral Church is the oldest church building in Makassar City and the entire Sulawesi region, both southeast and south.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church was founded in 1898, at the beginning of the second phase of the presence of the Catholic church in Makassar. The history of Catholicism in Makassar itself is closely related to the arrival of three priests and a Portuguese missionary in 1525.
They are Pastor Antonio do Reis, Bernardinode Marvao, Cosmas de Annunciacio, and a brother. Even so, the biggest impact of the spread of Catholicism occurred when Pastor Vincente Viegas came from Malacca to serve in Makassar in 1548.
There, Vincente served Portuguese brothers who converted to Catholicism as well as a number of baptized kings and aristocrats of South Sulawesi. King of Gowa Sultan Alauddin (1591-1638), the first King of Gowa to convert to Islam gave freedom for Catholics to build churches in 1633.
However, the political turmoil between the Portuguese and the VOC led to the displacement of the Portuguese clergy from Makassar. When Malacca fell into the hands of the VOC and the Batavia Agreement on 19 August 1660 forced Sultan Hasanuddin to expel all Portuguese from Makassar. The departure of the Portuguese was well arranged by the Sultan.
In 1892, around September, Pastor Aselbergs, SJ, was transferred from Larantuka to become Pastor Stasi Makassar. He lives in a luxury house on Heerenweg, which is now named Hasanuddin Street.
Then, in 1895, a plot of land and a house on the Comedistraat were purchased. The location is on Kajaolalido Street which is now the location of a church building. The construction of the church took place from 1898 to 1900.
The church was later renovated and expanded in 1939. The process lasted until 1941 with a form that has survived to this day.
* Read other information about the HISTORY OF NUSANTARA or read other interesting writings from Ramdan Febrian.