INDONESIA Jakarta, philosophy as a mission of Fr. Bertens

The Dutch-born missionary of the Sacred Heart has died at the age of 88. In Indonesia since 1968, as director of the Centre for Ethics at the University of Jakarta, he made an important contribution to the country’s reflection on social ethics, also training young scholars.

Jakarta () – A life dedicated to mission in a Muslim-majority country like Indonesia on a very particular frontier: teaching and studies on social ethics. This is the profile of Fr. Kees Bertens, a Dutch-born missionary of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, who died on 19 July at the age of 88. Born in Tilburg in 1936 and a priest since 1960, he arrived in Indonesia in 1968 after completing his philosophical studies at the Catholic University of Louvain. It was precisely in teaching this discipline that he became a point of reference in the country over the years. After his early years in Pineleng, North Sulawesi province, he moved to Jakarta in 1975, first to the Driyarkara College of Philosophy (STFD) and then to the Ethics Centre of Atma Catholic University Jakarta, where he became director, a position he held until his death.

“As a prolific philosopher who has written numerous books on applied ethics, Father Kees Bertens MSC knows when to preach at the altar and when to think and reflect on what to write,” wrote the Indonesian daily The Jakarta Post in a profile of him in 2008. A description confirmed to by Professor Armada Riyanto, dean of the Widya Sasana Malang Faculty of Philosophy and Theology. He was not someone who liked to appear in public in televised debates, but the contribution of his works on philosophy and ethics was enormous.”

His brother and former student, Father Johanis Mangkey, also highlights the importance of the legacy he leaves behind through the Centre for Ethics at the Catholic University of Jakarta. “He always encouraged all his students and staff to seek good opportunities to continue their studies,” he explains. “With the help of his connections in Europe, he regularly offered scholarships to the most qualified young people.”

Despite his reputation as a lecturer and essayist on ethical issues, Fr Bertens was also always a priest who was close to the people. “He also carried out a passionate pastoral work that led him to celebrate the Eucharist in dozens of parishes in the capital, especially in the church of St. John the Evangelist in South Jakarta and in the parish of St. Christopher in Grogol,” recalls Fr Mangkey.

Father Bertens’ funeral took place today at the Mother of Christ Parish Church in West Jakarta, after which he was buried at the Karawang Public Cemetery, West Java.