Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja received his elevation to cardinal in 1994, marking him as the second Indonesian to hold the position within the Roman Catholic Church. His ecclesiastical trajectory spans decades of leadership across Semarang and Jakarta, defined by significant administrative roles and participation in the transition of papal authority at the Vatican.
Early Formation and Ordination
Born on 20 December 1934 in Muntilan, he entered the Saint Peter Canisius Minor seminary in Magelang in 1951. He joined the Society of Jesus in 1957. His intellectual preparation included philosophy at De Nobili College in Pune, India, from 1961 to 1964, followed by theology at Saint Ignatius College in Yogyakarta between 1966 and 1970. Cardinal Justinus Darmojuwono ordained him a priest on 18 December 1969.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Ecclesiastical Appointments
Following his ordination, he served in parish roles and as the rector of the Saint Peter Canisius minor seminary. In 1981, he became the Provincial of the Indonesian Province of the Society of Jesus. Pope John Paul II appointed him Archbishop of Semarang in 1983, with his consecration taking place on 29 June of that year. He later served as the Ordinary of the Indonesian Military Forces from 1984 to 2006. In 1996, he succeeded Leo Soekoto as the Archbishop of Jakarta, a role he maintained until his retirement in 2010.
Cardinalate and Leadership
Pope John Paul II created him Cardinal-Priest of the titular see of S Cuore di Maria during the consistory held on 26 November 1994. Beyond his diocesan duties, he acted as the President of the National Bishops' Conference of Indonesia for two separate terms: 1988 to 1997 and 2001 to 2006. He served as an elector during the 2005 papal conclave that resulted in the election of Pope Benedict XVI.
Public Positions
Throughout his tenure, he addressed national and international sociopolitical issues. He publicly criticized the US-led war in Iraq and advocated for forgiveness toward Islamic radicals following church bombings in 2000. He also worked to distance the Islamic faith from associations with terrorism.
Fast facts
- Born: 20 December 1934, Muntilan, Indonesia
- Ordained Priest: 18 December 1969
- Appointed Archbishop of Semarang: 1983
- Appointed Cardinal: 1994
- Archbishop of Jakarta: 1996–2010
- Military Bishop of Indonesia: 1984–2006
Questions readers ask
Did he participate in the 2013 papal conclave?
No, he was eligible but did not attend due to health reasons.
When did he retire from his position as Archbishop of Jakarta?
Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation on 28 June 2010, after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 75.
