The chairman of the Indonesian bishops’ Commission for Youth, has tested positive for Covid-19, a Chuch official said on Feb. 11.
Bishop Pius Riana Prapbi of Ketapang tested positive on Feb. 10, according to Father Simon Anjar Yogatomo, the Ketapang diocesan secretary said.
He said the 55-year-old prelate was now self-isolating at a convent belonging to the Congregation of Augustinian Sisters in Ketapang.
“All pastoral activities and meetings, except online ones, are canceled until he recovers. Activities related to the diocese are being handled by the diocese’s vicar-general,” he said.
Bishop Pius told UCA News that his symptoms were so far mild and that his condition was being constantly monitored.
News of his infection came a day after the government announced the start of human trials for a homegrown Covid-19 vaccine called Merah Putih (Red White), named after the colors of the Indonesian national flag.
The vaccine is being developed by the state-run Airlangga University in Surabaya and Biotis Pharmaceutical Indonesia.
Before trials could start the vaccine had to be granted halal certification from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s top Islamic body, through a fatwa.
Vice President Ma’ruf Amin had previously said that since Indonesia was a predominantly Muslim country a Covid-19 vaccine must obtain halal certification from such an authorized institution before being given to the public.
As of Feb. 10, the country had recorded 4,667,554 Covid cases and 144,858 deaths.
Thank you. You are now signed up to Daily newsletter
Support UCA News…
….As we enter the first months of 2022, we are asking readers like you to help us keep UCA News free.
For the last 40 years, UCA News has remained the most trusted and independent Catholic news and information service from Asia. Every week, we publish nearly 100 news reports, feature stories, commentaries, podcasts and video broadcasts that are exclusive and in-depth, and developed from a view of the world and the Church through informed Catholic eyes.
Our journalistic standards are as high as any in the quality press; our focus is particularly on a fast-growing part of the world – Asia – where, in some countries the Church is growing faster than pastoral resources can respond to – South Korea, Vietnam and India to name just three.
And UCA News has the advantage of having in its ranks local reporters who cover 23 countries in south, southeast, and east Asia. We report the stories of local people and their experiences in a way that Western news outlets simply don’t have the resources to reach. And we report on the emerging life of new Churches in old lands where being a Catholic can at times be very dangerous.
With dwindling support from funding partners in Europe and the USA, we need to call on the support of those who benefit from our work.
Click here to find out the ways you can support UCA News. You can make a difference for as little as US$5…
Credit: Source link