The Capuchin Province of Sibolga with Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen as its patron started working with its provincialate in Gunungsitoli-Nias. A Capuchin presence on the Flores Island in Ndondo became a reality in October 2000. In the following years, the idea of dividing the province began surfacing and on 8th December 2010, this was proposed during the visit of the General Minister Br. Mauro Jöhri and General Definitor Br. John Anthony. The principal reason of the division was geographical, i.e. the large area and the distance between Sibolga and Nias, limited by a wide sea. The Provincial Chapter of 2012 petitioned the General Minister to divide the Sibolga Capuchin Province into two provinces, i.e. Province of Nias Isles and Province of Sibolga. However, the General Minister, Br. Mauro Jöhri and his Council in September 2013 were of the view that the Sibolga Capuchin Province should be divided into two general custodies and not two provinces. Subsequently, the General Custodies of Nias and Sibolga came into being with the Decree of the General Minister on April 10, 2015 (Prot. N. 00335/15).
A few years after the division, and owing to the growth in the Custody, discussions began on the possible erection as a Province. This was discussed during the Extraordinary Chapter in February 2022 and a request was sent to the General Minister. The General Minister responded positively in his letter dated 18 June 2022 (Prot. N. 00357/22). A preparatory commission was set up in October 2022 to look into the administrative and practical concerns in view of the erection of the Province. After the Chapter of November 2024, a report was submitted to the General Minister regarding the progress of the preparations.
Accepting the request of the Custos, the General Minister and his Council in the meeting of January 2025 entrusted Br. William Chang, General Councilor, to conduct a Pastoral Visitation of the Custody and this was carried out from 22 – 29 January 2025.
After receiving a favorable vote from the Pacific Asian Capuchin Conference (PACC) through the letter dated 01 January 2025 (Prot. N. 00002/25) to raise the status of the General Custody of Sibolga to a Province, the General Minister and his Council considered the results of the Pastoral Visitation and formally approved the change of status of this circumscription from a General Custody to a Province.
Provincia di Sibolga, Indonesia
MP: Br. Yoseph Sinaga
VP Br. Bonifasius Langgur
2C: Br. Wilhelmus Sibagariang
3C: Br. Yulius Simatupang
4C: Br. Sebastianus Sihombing
