In recent decades, the declining authority of the Church in Europe has significantly weakened the vitality of Catholic orders in the Netherlands, raising questions about their sustainability amid shifting cultural and religious landscapes. To counteract this trend, many orders have invited foreign missionaries from Asia and Africa to rejuvenate their missions.

This study specifically examines Indonesian Catholic missionaries in the Netherlands, exploring their work, struggles, impact, and long-term prospects. By engaging with the concept of "reverse mission", the research offers insights into evolving South–North Catholic relations and highlights how longstanding transnational networks continue to shape contemporary ecclesiastical practice.

Speaker

Fransiska Widyawati is a core faculty member of Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng, Nusa Tenggara, Eastern Indonesia. Currently she is a visiting fellow at KITLV.

Moderator

Hatib A. Kadir is an anthropologist and environmental humanities researcher specializing in ecological crises in peripheral regions. Over the past seven years, he has conducted research in the Eastern Indonesian archipelago, spanning from Maluku to West Papua.

Format, date, time & venue

This seminar is a hybrid event and will be held in the conference room of KITLV, Herta Mohr building, room 1.30, Witte Singel 27 A, Leiden and online via Zoom, on Thursday 1 May from 15.30 – 17.00 PM (CET).

Registration

If you want to join this seminar on location, please register via: kitlv@kitlv.nl

If you wish to join this seminar online, please register here

Image

An Indonesian missionary priest blessing some Indonesians birthday celebrant after a Eucharistic celebration. Photo by Fransiska Widyawati.