User:VirtualPoolice/Richardus Kardis Sandjaja

Richardus Kardis Sandjaja (20 Mei 1914 – 20 Desember 1948) was a Projo priest, known damously as Romo Kardis, who killed during the struggle for independence of Republic Indonesia

Biography
Sandjaja (Pronounce: Sanjoyo) was born in Sedan, Muntilan, Central Java, Indonesia, on May 20 1914. his father Willem Kromosendjojo, worked as nursing assistant at Catholic clinic led by Jesuit missinary in Muntilan.His mother was named Richarda Kasijah, from a Catholic family. Sandjaja has two older sisters and an older brother. One of her older sisters became a Franciscan nun.

Since childhood, Sandjaja was very famous at school because of his intelligence. He attended a Catholic elementary school led by the Brothers. Because of his intelligence, he is known to prefer studying rather than playing in his free days. Sandjaja is a simple, humble, honest and open personality towards each other. Sandjaja really likes to pay attention to her prayer life, diligently attends daily mass at church, and often visits Holy Mary Cave in Sendangsono Village, to pray and reflect. His interest in becoming a priest developed when he was still in elementary school.

Sandjaja was accepted into seminary after he graduated from high school. He lived in extraordinary holiness while in seminary. Sandjaja was ordained a diocesan priest on 13 January 1943 in Muntilan. After his ordination, he was elected as parish priest in Muntilan. Sandjaja experienced many difficulties because of the war situation, however he was very strong and believed in Divine providence, and for that reason he was able to carry out his duties well as a very wise parish priest and was liked by all the Muntilan parishioners. Several times the Church building was damaged by war soldiers who were not happy with the mission's work. Even so, he remained steadfast and was encouraged by his parishioners to repair and rebuild their church. For his parishioners, Sandjaja always showed his simplicity, wisdom and concern for others throughout his life as a parish priest. Despite many difficulties, he was able to maintain good relations with the official government (Dutch colonialists).

During the Japanese occupation of 1942 - 1945, many churches were damaged and their wealth confiscated. In such a situation, Sandjaja had to flee and hide in villages for safety until things improved. Next, he was able to return to his parish to rebuild his church. Then, he received a new assignment to teach at the Higher Seminary in Yogyakarta, and to help the neighboring parish in Magelang. In 1948 he was elected as a teacher and Rector at the Secondary Seminary in Muntilan. Sandjaja always showed his willingness to help the Church wherever and whatever the conditions.

Tragedy
The conditions of the Indonesian independence revolution made the Indonesian people always wary of all forms of relations with the Dutch government. The closeness of Father Sandjaja (who was actually a native) to the Dutch government made the Indonesia revolutionist dislike him, so that some of the cruel behavior of the Dutch colonial army in silencing the fighters and their families was suspected by the fighters to have something to do with Father Sandjaja. On December 20, 1948Hisbullah Revolutionary group who did not like the catholic church in Indonesia burned down the seminary, at that moment they also prohibit to puting down the fire. This is because of theres many Dutch Preist still in Indonesia. The Group also said there will be a confrence at 8PM, at a mosque, Father Bouwen said he can't attend, so Father Sandjaja volunteer him self, but the revolutionary group wants all Dutch Priest to came so Father Bouwen, with brother Herman Kismadi

After a long way with the revolutionary Group, they been killed shoot in a rice field on the outskirts of Muntilan.. His body lay scattered in the rice fields between the villages of Kembaran and Patosan. Only Brother Herman Kismadi that didn't get shoot since he wear a daily clothes. In the other side, all of the priest invited to go to somewhere by the revolutionist, but they refuse since Father Bouwen, and Father Sandjaja hasn't came back. After a day, all priest hold a mass ince they think that is their last day. At Tuesday Mr. Mudi that is Mr. Willem friend told him that his son hasn't come even all of the seminarian came to his house, or Sedan seminary. The body of Father Sandjaja, and father Bouwen were burried under mud, that showed his blood mark. The mud been dig, and there was the body of Father Bouwen, and in a sewer covered by dry leaves there was Father Sandjaja toe. Their bodies were swept with towels and then buried in the local cemetery as well. This burial was carried out simply to remove traces. The bodies of the two were then reburied on a large scale on August 5 1950 at Kerkhop Muntilan. The coffins were solemnly carried by scouts and members of the Air Force and buried at the place where the founder of the Church among the Javanese, namely Father van Lith, had been resting since 1926.

Father Sandjaja became the first martyr that came from Java. Sandjaja has been the symbol of Generosity, Holiness, simplicty, dan loyalty for the Catholic Church.

Referensi
2. Short Biography of Father Sandjaja

Pranala luar

 * Mengenal lebih dekat RK Sandjaja