Gereja Katolik Paroki St. Fidelis Sigmaringen Parapat (1952-2007)

Abstract

The research aims to explain the background of the establishment of St. Parish Catholic Church Fide/is Sigmaringen Parapat, the development of St. Parish Catholic Church Fide/is Sigmaringen Parapat (J9522007), and challenges in the development of St. Parish Catholic Church Fide/is Sigmaringen Parapat (1952-2007). This research employs historical research method. The first stage is started with Heuristic technique, conducted by gathering the research sources in the form of books, undergraduate ·thesis, scientific research, and field study through interviews. After obtaining the data, verification is conducted in the form of internal and external critics to find facts. The verified data are, then, correlated with data obtained from the field study objectively and scientifically toward the research object through interpretation. The last stage is Historiography, conducted by gathering the research results and put them into writing. The spread of Catholic Religion in Parish Parapat began from 1930s since the permission to do religious mission is granted which was formerly forbidden because it was not in line with the regulation of Government of the Netherlands East-Indies. This regulation prohibits the dual mission of Catholics and Protestants in an area. The result indicates that 1) the entry of Catholicism in Parapat Parish can be seen from three directions, the first mission from Pematangsianta,rthe second mission from Balige, and the third mission from Samosir. Then, from these three places, it spreads to Parapat. St. Parish Catholic Church Fide/is Sigmaringen is founded in 1952 and P. Beatus Jennisken OFMCap. is chosen as the first parish priest. 2) Parapat Parish Catholic Church have become the Parapat Capuchin Monastery Church since 1955 and has become the first Capuchin Monastery in Sumatera so it is used simultaneously by both church members and Monks. In Parapat Parish, then, the first Capuchin Novitiate Convent in Indonesia iss also built as an educational institution for prospective pastors. 3) During its development, the Parapat Parish Catholic Church faces challenges that hinders the development of the church, namely internal and external challenges. The internal challenges encountered are the decline in people' Catholic enthusiasm in Parapat Parish, while external challenges are namely the church construction obstacles by HKBP Parapat Church as well as the problem of parish land dispute by the Op. Gokman Sinaga. This research concludes that the Catholic Church of· St. Fidelis Sigmaringen Parapat is founded by the hard work of Catholic missionaries and during its development, it gives a positive impact on Parapat people economically, socially and culturally.