The Bishop of Surabaya has died

The Roman Catholic Church lost one of its pastors due to the departure of the Bishop of Surabaya, Mgr Vincentius Sutikno Wisaksono, Thursday (10/8/2023), due to illness.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Uskup Surabaya Mangkat

Bishop of Surabaya Mgr Vincentius Sutikno Wisaksono accompanied by the Vice Secretary General of the Surabaya Diocese RD Yosef Eko Budi Susilo ordained three priests from the Society of the Word of God, namely P Siprianus Jegaut, P Kondradus Tampani, and P Joan Nami Pangondian Siagian, at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday (30/1/2023).

SURABAYA, KOMPAS - The Roman Catholic Church is mourning the death of one of its shepherds, namely the Bishop of Surabaya Mgr Vincentius Sutikno Wisaksono, on Thursday (10/8/2023) at 10:29 AM local time at the St. Vincentius a Paulo Catholic Hospital (RKZ) in Surabaya, East Java.

The sad news was confirmed by the Secretary of the Surabaya Diocese, RD Paulus Febrianto. In addition, a number of pastors in a Whatsapp group also confirmed it. For example, the Head Pastor of the Holy Cross Tropodo Parish, RP Gabriel Maja, SVD, stated that the Surabaya Bishop had passed away.

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Bishop of Surabaya Mgr Vincentius Sutikno Wisaksono during his lifetime and while celebrating his episcopal consecration in 2020.

"Let us pray for eternal peace for his soul through His mercy," said Paulus Febrianto.

"We all unite in prayer for peace and eternal safety for him," said Gabriel Maja.

Wisaksono is a Suroboyo native who was born on September 26th, 1953. This son of Tanjung Perak was born with the name Oei Tik Haw. Wisaksono completed his nine-year education in Surabaya, specifically at the Catholic elementary school Santo Michael, then the Catholic junior high school Angelus Custos.

Furthermore, Wisaksono pursued his education at the Vincentius a Paulo Secondary Seminary or the Garum Seminary in Blitar. He then continued his theological studies at the Saint Paul High Seminary in Kentungan, Yogyakarta.

Wisaksono is a Chinese descendant of the mixed-blood couple Stephanus Oei Kok Tjia (Widiatmo Wisaksono) and Ursula Mady Kwa Siok Nio (Madijanti Wisaksono).

At the age of 28, Wisaksono was ordained as a diocesan priest on January 21, 1982, by Bishop Jan Antonius Klooster, CM, the Bishop of Surabaya at that time, at the Holy Heart of Jesus Church (Cathedral) in Surabaya.

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KOMPAS/AMBROSIUS HARTO

A screenshot from the Youtube account of the Social Commission of Surabaya Diocese shows Bishop of Surabaya Monsignor Vincentius Sutikno Wisaksono leading the Good Friday Service at the Holy Heart of Jesus Church (Cathedral) in Surabaya on Friday (2/4/2021).

Associate pastor

During his time as a diocesan priest or presbyter (Pr), Wisaksono served at the Parish of St. Joseph in Kediri. Subsequently, he became a fellow pastor at the Surabaya Cathedral.

During the Chrism Mass at Surabaya Cathedral on April 3, 2007, it was announced that Wisaksono had been chosen as the Bishop of Surabaya. At the time of the announcement, Wisaksono was in the Philippines, but he was later ordained as bishop on June 29, 2007 at the Jala Krida Mandala Academy of Naval Force Stadium in Surabaya.

Even though he is of Chinese descent, Wisaksono had banned special Eucharistic celebrations for Chinese New Year.

In recent years, including during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic since March 2020, Wisaksono's health condition has deteriorated. The bishop has repeatedly received treatment, including in Singapore.

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IGNATIUS DANU KUSWORO

Bishop of Surabaya, Monsignor Vincentius Sutikno Wisaksono (center), along with several priests ascended the altar during the Good Friday service at the Surabaya Cathedral, East Java, on Friday (10/4/2020). The service to commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus was broadcasted live through the network so that Catholic congregants can worship from their respective houses in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Despite being unwell, the Bishop led several Eucharistic celebrations, especially for Chrism, on several occasions. However, in the last week, the Bishop's health condition worsened, and he underwent treatment, including at the Surabaya Regional Hospital, where he eventually passed away on Thursday at 10:29.

Wisaksono has a fondness for a 1982 Daihatsu Taft, also known as the famous "Taft Kebo" car. The car has been used by the Bishop since he was an imam in Ngawi and served as the Rector of the Interdiocesan Higher Seminary San Giovanni XXIII in Malang for nine years, from 1990 to 2000. The car is still being used as his daily operational vehicle.