Joshua Bennett
Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, but it is also home to a significant number of Catholics. The history of Catholicism in Indonesia dates back to the 16th century when the Spaniard Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit Order, worked in the islands and laid the foundations for a permanent Catholic mission. Today, there are approximately 8.3 million Catholics in Indonesia, comprising around 3% of the population. This makes Catholicism one of the six approved religions in the country, alongside Islam, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. While Indonesia is known for its religious tolerance, there have been instances of violence against Catholics and Christians in the past. The relationship between the nation's Muslim and Catholic communities is delicate and complex, with varying levels of harmony and coexistence across the vast archipelago's 17,000 islands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Catholics in Indonesia | 8.3 million (2018) |
| Percentage of Catholics in Indonesia | 3.12% (2018) |
| Number of Catholics in Jakarta | 301,084 (2000); 400,000+ (2024) |
| Percentage of Catholics in Jakarta | 3.9% (2024) |
| Number of Christians in Indonesia | 29 million (2024) |
| Percentage of Christians in Indonesia | 12.8% (2018) |
| Number of Catholics in North Sumatra | 4.3% of the province's population (2018) |
| Number of Catholics in North Sulawesi | 4.4% of the province's population (2018) |
| Number of Catholics in Papua | 15.4% of the province's population (2018) |
| Number of Catholics in West Papua | 7.63% of the province's population |
| Number of Catholics in Ambon | 10,000 (1590s) |
| Number of Catholics in Maluku | 50,000-60,000 (1590s) |
| Number of Catholics in Solor | 25,000 (1590s) |
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What You'll Learn
Indonesia's Catholic population in 2018
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, with Islam as the dominant religion. However, Indonesia's constitution does not establish it as a Muslim nation. Instead, it has six approved religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.
Catholicism in Indonesia can be traced back to the 16th century when the Spaniard Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit Order, worked in the islands from 1546 to 1547. He baptised several thousand locals in the islands of Ambon, Ternate, and Morotai (or Moro), laying the foundations for a permanent Catholic mission. By the 1590s, there were 50,000 to 60,000 Catholics in the Maluku area, mostly on Ambon.
In the 19th century, active Catholic mission work resumed and was concentrated in a few areas, including Larantuka in the island of Flores, Bengkulu, Bangka, West Borneo, and the islands south of New Guinea. Many Batak people in the interior of North Sumatra also adopted Catholicism during this time, even though authorities banned Catholic missionaries in other parts of the province.
In 1940, Pope Pius XII appointed Albert Soegijapranata, a Jesuit, as the apostolic vicar of Semarang in central Java, making him the first indigenous priest in Indonesia to become a bishop. The Catholic Church actively supported Indonesia's fight for independence, encouraged by Bishop Soegijapranata.
In 2018, Indonesia had a Catholic population of around 8.3 million, constituting 3.12% of the country's total population. This percentage is slightly higher in Jakarta, which has a Catholic population of 3.9%. North Sumatra reported the second-highest number of Christians in 2018, with 4.7 million, of which 4.3% were Catholics. North Sulawesi also had a significant Catholic population, with 1.54 million Christians, of which 4.4% were Catholics. East Nusa Tenggara had the highest percentage of Catholics, at 53.56%, and the highest total number of Christians, with 4.8 million.
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Catholicism's growth in Indonesia
Catholicism in Indonesia began with the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th century. The Portuguese explorers came in search of the Spice Islands, with the goal of converting the natives to Catholicism. The Spaniard Francis Xavier, a co-founder of the Jesuit Order, worked in the islands from 1546 to 1547 and baptised several thousand locals, laying the foundations for a permanent mission. Following his departure, others carried on his work and by the 1590s there were 50,000 to 60,000 Catholics in the area.
Catholicism is one of the six approved religions in Indonesia, the others being Islam, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Indonesia is primarily Muslim, but Catholicism is the dominant faith in certain areas of the country, such as East Nusa Tenggara and South Papua province. According to official figures, Catholics made up 3.12 percent of the population in 2018, or more than 8.3 million people. This is a significant increase from 1960, when there were only 26,955 Catholics in Jakarta, and the Catholic population has continued to grow.
There has been large historical growth in Christianity in Indonesia since the 19th century, due to historical missionary work, conversions from Chinese Buddhists and Islam, and population growth. Both Protestant and Catholic missionaries were active during this time, with conversions from tribal religions and Islam. The number of Catholics in Indonesia continued to grow after Indonesian independence, despite the expulsion of the Dutch and other Europeans.
In recent years, there has been a rapid growth in the number of Chinese Christians in Indonesia, with the conversion of Chinese to Christianity accelerating in the 1960s, especially in East Java. This growth may be attributed to increased migration to the capital from Christian parts of Indonesia, as well as the success of missionary work. For example, in Jakarta, the Catholic population increased elevenfold from 1960 to 2000, while the overall population merely tripled. In 2023, Catholics made up 3.06% of the population of Indonesia, or 8.6 million people.
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Catholic-Muslim relations in Indonesia
Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country and is home to more Muslims than any other nation. While 87% of the country is Muslim, there are also 29 million Christians scattered across the vast archipelago's 17,000 islands. Indonesia's constitution guarantees its citizens the right to choose their religion and the freedom to worship according to their beliefs. However, the constitution and the state philosophy of "Pancasila" also promote faith in the "One and Only God". Each Indonesian adult must list one of the six approved religions (Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Confucianism) on their national identity card.
Catholicism is one of the approved religions in Indonesia, with 8.3 million followers, or 3.12% of the population, as of 2018. The Catholic Church in Indonesia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the pope in Rome. Indonesia is primarily Muslim, but Catholicism is the dominant faith in certain areas of the country. The Church is organised into one military ordinariate, 10 archdioceses, and 28 dioceses, all of which are members of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops Conference (KWI). There are several Catholic religious institutes active in the country, including the Jesuits, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), and the Divine Word Missionaries.
The relationship between Muslims and Christians in Indonesia has been marked by both collaboration and tension. On the one hand, Indonesian Christians and Muslims have worked together to promote interfaith understanding and dialogue. For example, Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia in 2024 was seen as a significant step towards fostering global interreligious dialogue. During his visit, the Pope met with representatives of all six officially recognized religions in the country, including Islam and Catholicism. Additionally, events such as the Palu Friendship Festival in 2025 brought thousands of people together and promoted religious coexistence in Indonesia. The festival, which featured Canadian and Swiss evangelists, was attended by many Indonesians, including Muslims, some of whom embraced faith in Christ.
On the other hand, there have been incidents of violence against Catholics and Christians in Indonesia, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Additionally, there is ongoing tension between the two religious groups regarding the importance of Islam to Indonesian identity. Despite these challenges, many Indonesians of both faiths view religious diversity as beneficial to the country, and there are efforts in schools and universities to promote interfaith dialogue and improve relations.
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Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia
Indonesia is home to a significant Catholic minority, with official figures from 2018 placing the number of Catholics at over 8.3 million, or 3.12% of the population. The Catholic population is concentrated in certain areas, such as North Sumatra, North Sulawesi, and Papua, and has experienced significant growth over time.
In September 2024, Pope Francis visited Indonesia as part of a four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific region, including Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. This trip marked the longest and farthest journey of his papacy at 87 years old. The theme of his visit was "Faith, Fraternity, and Compassion" in the Indonesian language. The Pope's visit lasted three days and focused on promoting inter-religious ties and dialogue between diverse faith communities, especially between Catholics and Muslims.
Upon his arrival in Jakarta, the Pope was greeted by Indonesian officials, including the religious affairs minister, and was presented with a traditional bouquet by two children. He also received a warm welcome from the Indonesian media and public, who praised his decision to use a commercial ITA Airways jet for his visit. Pope Francis's humility was further emphasised when he chose to use a Toyota Kijang Innova Zenix minivan during his stay in Indonesia, mirroring the simplicity of his papal visit.
During his visit, Pope Francis met with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, emphasising the commitment to peace and brotherhood between Indonesia and the Vatican. He also hosted a meeting with orphans, refugees, and homeless people at the Vatican's Jakarta mission. The Pope's agenda included visits to the Jakarta Cathedral Church and the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, where he signed a joint declaration with the grand imam focusing on "dehumanisation" and environmental degradation. He also presided over a mass and delivered a sermon at Indonesia's 80,000-seat national football stadium, Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
The Pope's visit to Indonesia was significant as it highlighted his commitment to interfaith dialogue and religious coexistence in a country with a diverse religious landscape. It also provided an opportunity to address concerns about growing discrimination against Christians and other minority religions in the country.
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Catholic population in Jakarta
Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country, with Islam being the largest religion. However, Catholicism is one of the six approved religions in the country, with more than 8.3 million followers as of 2018, constituting 3.12% of the population. The Catholic Church in Indonesia is under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.
The Catholic population in Indonesia is mostly concentrated in the provinces of East Nusa Tenggara and South Papua, where Catholicism is the dominant faith, with around 55% and 50% of the population following the religion, respectively. Other Indonesian provinces with significant Catholic populations include North Sumatra, West Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Maluku, and Central Java, especially in and around Muntilan.
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is home to a substantial Catholic population. The city has a total population of 11 million, with 9.2 million Muslims (84%), and 3.9% of its residents, or more than 400,000 people, are Catholics. Jakarta's Kelapa Gading district is known to have a large Chinese population and is the most Christian district, with 35% of its population identifying as Christians.
The growth of the Catholic population in Jakarta has been significant. In 1960, the city had around 26,955 Catholics, which increased elevenfold to 301,084 Catholics in 2000, while the overall population of Jakarta tripled during the same period. This growth can be attributed to increased migration to the capital from Christian parts of Indonesia.
The presence of Catholics in Jakarta and Indonesia is marked by coexistence with other religious communities. The city of Jakarta showcases this diversity, with the Istiqlal mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, located a few hundred meters from Jakarta's cathedral, Our Lady of the Assumption. This proximity is symbolized by the construction of a "tunnel of fraternity," facilitating visitors' movement between the two places of worship.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 8.3 million Catholics in Indonesia, making up 3.12% of the population as of 2018.
Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, has 3.9% of its residents identifying as Catholic. This amounts to more than 400,000 Catholics in the city.
The Catholic Church in Indonesia is part of the worldwide Catholic Church and is under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. It is organised into one military ordinariate, 10 archdioceses, and 28 dioceses. The Church coexists with other religions in the country, with interfaith dialogue and harmony being emphasised.
The Catholic population in Indonesia has experienced growth, especially in areas with large numbers of Chinese Indonesians and ethnic Javanese. For example, in Jakarta, the Catholic population increased elevenfold from 1960 to 2000, while the overall population tripled during the same period.
Yes, there are several notable Indonesian Catholics, including national heroes such as Agustinus Adisoetjipto, Ignatius Slamet Riyadi, and Yos Soedarso. The first Indonesian archbishop to be made cardinal was Justinus Darmojuwono in 1967.
