An Indonesian bishop was forced to resign five years ago amid accusations from his priests that he embezzled Church public funds and had an affair with a dead woman.
Bishop Hubertus Leteng died on July 31 at Borromeus Hospital in Bandung, West Java province, at the age of 63.
The bishop has served at the parish of St. Mary Garut, has been in Bandung diocese since 2018, a year after he resigned as Bishop of Ruteng on the island of Flores, where he has served since 2010.
Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung said Bishop Leteng complained of shortness of breath before being hospitalized a week before his death.
Bishop Leteng's story caused a stir in 2017, when 69 priests in Ruteng diocese protested against him for allegedly borrowing $94,000 from the Indonesian Bishops' Conference and $30,000 from the diocese. .
A former priest who abandoned his ministry for years accused him of giving the money to a woman they suspected had an affair with the bishop.
The Vatican then appointed Bishop Bunjamin, who is also the Secretary General of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, as the apostolic inspector to carry out the investigation, which led to Bishop Leteng's resignation.
The Vatican did not provide a reason for his resignation, but Church sources at the time said Bishop Leteng had to resign because of objections from priests in the diocese.
During the funeral Mass for the late bishop, Bishop Bunjamin, who had carried out the apostolic inspection, said he did not see Bishop Leteng at fault.
He said that during his five years of service in his diocese, he has come to know the bishop as someone who cares deeply about the plight of others and "because he was so kind that he was taken advantage of by some".
He said the bishop sought help for others, which sometimes left him thinking and restless, for the rest of his life.
Bishop Bunjamin made it clear that Bishop Leteng was not thinking of his own interests.
“Look at his life, what he was wearing! Is there a luxury? What is kept in your room, is it a luxury? What is your work equipment, is it luxury? No, nothing at all!”
During his time in Bandung diocese, the bishop regularly shares reflections on social media, writes books and also offers recollections and online celebrations for the faithful.
Meanwhile, Catholics in Ruteng diocese mourned his death and took to social media to share their love for the bishop and remember his support for social issues. festival.
Bishop Leteng has taken the lead in opposing mining companies in his area. He also led priests in protests against the privatization of public beaches in Labuan Bajo, a thriving tourist area.
According to a statement from the diocese of Ruteng, the bishop's body was returned to Flores on August 1 and was interred on August 3 next to the cathedral after a Mass presided over by Bishop Siprianus Hormat of Ruteng. economic.
Source:UCANews
