Fr. Samuel Sidin Oton, OFM Cap new bishop of Sintang, Indonesia

Pope Francis on Wednesday appointed Fr. Samuel Sidin Oton, O.F.M. Cap, pastor of St. Francis of Assisi in Tebet, Jakarta the new Bishop of Sintang Diocese in Indonesia.

Fr. Samuel was born on Dec 12, 1954 in Pontianak. After his training at the Minor Seminay of  Nyarukop he entered the Order of Capuchin Friars in 1977 and completed his Philosophical and Theological studies at the Inter-diocesan Major Seminary of Pematangsiantar in Medan (Sumatra).  He made his perpetual vows on July 18, 1982 and was ordained a priest on July 1, 1984. 

After ordination he held the following positions:

1984-1985: assistant priest at Nyarumkop;

1985-1990: Studies for a degree in Spirituality at  Antonianum  in Rome;

1990-1993: Vice-Master of Novices;

1993-1997: Master of Novices;

1997-2003: Minister of the Capuchin  Province of Pontianak;

2003-2008: Director  of Rumah Pelangi, a forest conservation programme;

2009-2012: Minister of the Capuchin Province of Pontianak;

since 2012: Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Tebet, Jakarta.

The Diocese of Sintang (1961), is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Pontianak. It has an area of ​​62,193 square kilometers and a population of 979,300, of whom 252,400 are Catholics. There are 36 parishes with 67 priests (42 diocesan and 25 religious). There are also 7 Religious Brothers, 64 Sisters and 21 major seminarians.

The Diocese of Sintang, was vacant since June 3, 2014, following the transfer of  Msgr. Augustinus Agus to the Metropolitan See of Pontianak.