Archdiocese of Palembang

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Bishop(s) Aloysius Sudarso, S.C.I., Archbishop Suffragan Dioceses Pangkal-Pinang Tanjungkarang

General Information Type of Jurisdiction: Archdiocese Elevated: 1 July 2003 Metropolitan See Rite: Latin (or Roman) Country: Indonesia Square Kilometers: 157,000 (60,641 Square Miles) Mailing Address: Keuskupan, Jl. Tasik 18, Palembang 30135, Indonesia Telephone: (0711)350.417 Fax: 314.776

Historical Details

• Prefecture Apostolic of Benkoelen
  • Erected: 27 December 1923
  • Country: Indonesia

• Vicariate Apostolic of Palembang
  • Latin Name: Palembangensis
  • Elevated: 13 June 1939
  • Vicariate
  • Country: Indonesia

• Diocese of Palembang
  • Latin Name: Palembangensis
  • Elevated: 3 January 1961
  • Metropolitan: Archdiocese of Medan
  • Country: Indonesia

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Past and Present Ordinaries

• Enrico Smeets, S.C.I. † (28 May 1924 Appointed - 1926 Died)
• Harrie van Oort, S.C.I. † (19 Jan 1927 Appointed - 1934 Died)
• Henri Martin Mekkelholt, S.C.I. † (19 Jan 1934 Appointed - 5 Apr 1963 Resigned)
• Joseph Hubertus Soudant, S.C.I. † (5 Apr 1963 Succeeded - 20 May 1997 Retired)
• Aloysius Sudarso, S.C.I. (20 May 1997 Appointed - )

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Historical Summary

Date	Event	From	To
Prefecture Apostolic of Benkoelen
27 December 1923	Erected	Prefecture Apostolic of Sumatra	Prefecture Apostolic of Benkoelen (erected)
Vicariate Apostolic of Palembang
13 June 1939	Elevated	Prefecture Apostolic of Benkoelen	Vicariate Apostolic of Palembang
19 June 1952	Territory Lost	Vicariate Apostolic of Palembang	Prefecture Apostolic of Padang (erected)
Diocese of Palembang
3 January 1961	Elevated	Vicariate Apostolic of Palembang	Diocese of Palembang
Archdiocese of Palembang
1 July 2003	Elevated	Diocese of Palembang	Archdiocese of Palembang

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Statistics

Year	Catholics	Total Population	Percent Catholic	Diocesan Priests	Religious Priests	Total Priests	Catholics Per Priest	Permanent Deacons	Male Religious	Female Religious	Parishes	Source
Vicariate Apostolic of Palembang
1950	5,410	2,500,000	.2%		19	19	284		36	76	8	ap1951
Diocese of Palembang
1970	24,999	4,500,000	.6%		32	32	781		47	121		ap1971
1980	37,045	5,620,000	.7%	1	31	32	1,157		51	116		ap1981
1990	59,670	7,406,000	.8%	4	36	40	1,491		64	192	24	ap1991
1999	72,968	10,500,000	.7%	16	46	62	1,176		65	221	26	ap2000
2000	74,233	10,750,000	.7%	19	40	59	1,258		60	227	26	ap2001
2001	76,480	11,852,600	.6%	22	44	66	1,158		63	222	26	ap2002
2002	77,298	11,622,559	.7%	22	45	67	1,153		73	227	26	ap2003
Archdiocese of Palembang
2003	76,201	10,828,441	.7%	22	47	69	1,104		65	236	26	ap2004

Note: Any changes in boundaries over time are not indicated in the above table.

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Affiliated Bishops

• Henri Martin Mekkelholt, S.C.I. † (Prefect: 19 Jan 1934; Vicar Apostolic: 11 Jul 1939; Bishop: 3 Jan 1961 to 5 Apr 1963)
• Harrie van Oort, S.C.I. † (Prefect: 19 Jan 1927 to 1934)
• Enrico Smeets, S.C.I. † (Prefect: 28 May 1924 to 1926)
• Joseph Hubertus Soudant, S.C.I. † (Coadjutor Bishop: 3 Jan 1961; Bishop: 5 Apr 1963 to 20 May 1997)
• Aloysius Sudarso, S.C.I. (Bishop: 20 May 1997; Archbishop: 1 Jul 2003)