Indonesia has inaugurated the world’s tallest statue of Jesus at a tourist site in the North Sumatra province. Source: UCA News.
The 61-metre-high Jesus Christ the Saviour statue is located on Sibeabea Hill, near Toba Lake in Samosir Regency. It was inaugurated by Indonesian Bishops’ Conference president Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung on September 19.
It is at least 20 metres taller than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, in Christian-majority Brazil, which stands at 39.6 meters.
According to Bishop Bunjamin, the statue was unveiled after a miniature statue was blessed by Pope Francis at the Vatican embassy in Jakarta on September 6, when the Pope visited the Muslim-majority Southeast nation.
The Holy Cross prelate said the prayer inscribed under the statue on a plate was also signed by Francis.
“What is admired about Jesus the Saviour is his infinite love,” Francis said in the prayer.
Bishop Bunjamin said, “This is a hill blessed by God, which is expected to be a place that can strengthen the faith of people.”
The Capuchin Archbishop Kornelius Sipayung of Medan Sipayung, who attended the inauguration, said the statue is “a reminder that God has been present in the world.”
“This statue is not only an object of beauty but is a call for humans to be a light for the world,” he said.
Jesus’ open hands symbolise that “Jesus accepts everyone with love,” he added.
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