Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja

Stored: Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja

His Eminence Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja
Bishop of College of Cardinals
Home diocese:	Archdiocese of Jakarta
Other diocese 1:	Archdiocese of Semarang
Other diocese 2:	Indonesian Military Ordinariate
Other diocese 3:
Ordination:	18 December 1969 by Cardinal Justinus Darmojuwono
Consecration:	29 June 1983 by Cardinal Justinus Darmojuwono
Rank:	Cardinal
Created cardinal:	26 November 1994 by Pope John Paul II
Personal details
Born:	Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja 20 December 1934 Muntilan, Indonesia
Died:
Nationality:	Indonesia
Education:	Pontifical Athenaeum, Pune
Motto:	"In nomine Jesu"
Role:	Emeritus
Theology:	Moderate
Region:	Southeast Asia
Rite:	Roman Rite
Conclave Eligibility:	Ineligible

Cardinal Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja, S.J., born (1934-12-20) December 20, 1934, is an Indonesian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church and the second Indonesian cardinal, elevated in 1994 by Pope John Paul II. A Jesuit, he served as Archbishop of Semarang (1983–1996), Archbishop of Jakarta (1996–2010), and Military Ordinary of Indonesia (1984–2006). Ordained a priest in 1969 and consecrated a bishop in 1983, he led the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (1988–1997, 2001–2006), promoting interfaith dialogue, social justice, and Catholic education in a Muslim-majority nation. His motto, "In nomine Jesu" ("In the name of Jesus"), reflects his pastoral commitment. Known for rejecting links between Islam and terrorism and criticizing the U.S.-led Iraq War, Darmaatmadja participated in the 2005 conclave but was absent from the 2013 conclave due to health issues, particularly eyesight problems. Retired since 2010 and residing at Wisma Emaus Girisonta in Semarang, his age (90 in 2025) renders him ineligible for the 2025 papal conclave following Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025, limiting his role to symbolic significance.

Darmaatmadja’s tenure strengthened the Indonesian Church’s presence, notably through ecumenical initiatives and consecrating multiple bishops, though his conservative approach to moral issues and limited public activity post-retirement drew mild criticism. His academic background in philosophy and theology, from De Nobili College in Pune and Saint Ignatius College in Yogyakarta, shaped his intellectual leadership. Never a papal contender due to his regional focus and health constraints, his legacy endures as a pioneer for Indonesian Catholicism, recognized with the Bintang Mahaputera Adipradana in 2004. As an emeritus cardinal, his influence in the post-Francis Church is minimal, centered on his historical contributions and ongoing inspiration within the Jesuit community.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Darmaatmadja)[](https://p2k.stekom.ac.id/ensiklopedia/Julius_Darmaatmadja)

Biography

Birth and early life

Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja was born on December 20, 1934, in Muntilan, Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, to a modest Catholic family. His parents, Joachim Djasman Darmaatmadja and Maria Siti Soepartimah, raised him and his five siblings in a devout environment. Baptized on December 21, 1934, at St. Anthony Church in Muntilan, he was confirmed in 1947. His early exposure to Indonesia’s multi-religious society and Jesuit missionaries sparked a vocation, leading him to enter Saint Peter Canisius Minor Seminary in Mertoyudan, Magelang, in 1951.

Indonesia’s post-independence struggles and rising nationalism in the 1940s shaped Darmaatmadja’s commitment to cultural integration and faith. His intellectual aptitude and fluency in Indonesian, Javanese, and English were evident early, as he engaged in parish activities, laying the foundation for his interfaith advocacy.

Education

Darmaatmadja studied at Saint Peter Canisius Minor Seminary (1951–1957) and entered the Jesuit novitiate in Girisonta, Semarang, in 1957, taking first vows in 1959. He studied philosophy at De Nobili College, Pontifical Athenaeum, Pune, India (1961–1964), earning a licentiate, and theology at Saint Ignatius College, Yogyakarta (1966–1970). His studies emphasized Jesuit spirituality and interreligious dialogue, critical in Indonesia’s diverse context.

He completed his regency at Saint Peter Canisius Seminary (1964–1966) and tertianship in 1974, making his final Jesuit profession in 1975. Darmaatmadja’s academic rigor and multilingual proficiency prepared him for leadership, blending Ignatian principles with pastoral sensitivity.

Priesthood

Ordained a priest on December 18, 1969, by Cardinal Justinus Darmojuwono in Yogyakarta, Darmaatmadja served as a parish priest in Semarang (1971–1973) and in the Indonesian Jesuit Province (1973–1978). He was rector of Saint Peter Canisius Minor Seminary (1978–1981) and provincial of the Indonesian Jesuits (1981–1983), focusing on formation and education.

His priesthood included roles as a subprefect and teacher, emphasizing catechesis and youth ministry in a Muslim-majority nation. Darmaatmadja’s pastoral and administrative skills, rooted in Jesuit discipline, positioned him as a key figure in the Indonesian Church, earning recognition for his ecumenical outreach.

Bishop

Consecrated Archbishop of Semarang on June 29, 1983, by Cardinal Justinus Darmojuwono, Darmaatmadja served until 1996, also acting as Military Ordinary of Indonesia (1984–2006). Appointed Archbishop of Jakarta in 1996 and elevated to cardinal in 1994, he became the second Indonesian cardinal, succeeding Darmojuwono. He led the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (1988–1997, 2001–2006), fostering interfaith dialogue and social justice.

Darmaatmadja participated in the 2005 conclave but was absent from the 2013 conclave due to eyesight issues. Retired in 2010 at age 75, he resides at Wisma Emaus Girisonta, Semarang, with limited public activity, though he appeared in 2017 for World Day of the Sick and in 2022 for his 88th birthday events. His age (90 in 2025) makes him ineligible for the 2025 conclave, limiting his role to symbolic influence.

Diocese	Role	Start Date	End Date	Notes
Archdiocese of Semarang	Archbishop	19 February 1983	11 January 1996	Promoted interfaith dialogue
Indonesian Military Ordinariate	Ordinary	28 April 1984	2 January 2006	Served Catholic armed forces members
Archdiocese of Jakarta	Archbishop	11 January 1996	28 June 2010	Led as Primate of Indonesia

Significant events

• Entered Saint Peter Canisius Minor Seminary in 1951.
• Joined the Society of Jesus in 1957.
• Ordained priest in Yogyakarta in 1969.
• Consecrated Archbishop of Semarang in 1983.
• Elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1994.
• Appointed Archbishop of Jakarta in 1996.
• Retired as Archbishop of Jakarta in 2010.

Books

Written about the bishop

• Alam Pikiran Dan Kharisma: 80th Kardinal Julius Darmaatmadja SJ by various authors, no ISBN provided

Written by the bishop

• Umat Katolik Memuliakan Manusia by Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja, no ISBN provided

External links

• Julius Riyadi Cardinal Darmaatmadja at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
• Biography of Cardinal Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja at Vatican Press Office
• Vatican News article on Darmaatmadja’s World Day of the Sick appearance