Condolences of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the death of the Indonesian Christian leader Bishop Soritua Nababan

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus' sent his condolences to the Acting Secretary General of the World Council of Churches Archpriest Ioan Sauca and the Chairman of the Council of Churches of Indonesia Pastor Gomar Gultom with regard to the death of one of the most authoritative Christian leaders in Southeast Asia, Bishop Soritua Nababan (Batak Christian Protestant Church) who died in Jakarta at the age of 88. From 2006 to 2013, he served as the President of the World Council of Churches from Asia.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchal Exarch of Southeast Asia, Metropolitan Sergius of Singapore and Southeast Asia, sent funeral wreaths. to the coffin of the late bishop.

The message reads as follows:

ARCHPRIEST IOAN SAUCA
ACTING GENERAL SECRETARY
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

PASTOR GOMAR GULTOM
CHAIRMAN
COMMUNION OF CHURCHES IN INDONESIA

Dear Reverend Father Ioan and Reverend Gomar Gultom,

My heart was deeply grieved as I learned the sorrowful news of the demise of my good friend Bishop Soritua Nababan who for several decades had been one of the leaders of the Christian movement both in his native Indonesia and throughout South East Asia. Particularly notable was his service at the World Council of Churches, marked by the implementation of numerous humanitarian initiatives in various regions of the world. On behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church and on my behalf I express sincere condolences over this loss.

I got acquainted with Bishop Nababan many years ago when he had just taken up his duties as a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. Afterwards we worked side by side at many international forums. For the last time we met during his visit to Moscow in 2009.

Bishop Nababan set an example by having done much for the development of relationships between the Christian Churches and the strengthening of peace and social justice in society. Firmly and consistently he defended the traditional moral values grounded in the Holy Scripture. The memory of Bishop Nabadan will be cherished by many generations of Christians.

With love in the Lord,

+KIRILL
PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA

DECR Communication service

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Condolences of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill on the death of the Indonesian Christian leader Bishop Soritua Nababan

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