Indonesian Bishop Kohar
dies in Singapore


BISHOP Petrus Kohar (right), Bishop of Region II, Gereja Methodist Indonesia (GMI - The Methodist Church in Indonesia), passed away in Singapore on June 2.


The 60-year-old bishop died in the early hours of the morning at the Singapore General Hospital where he was being treated for cancer. He had been a pastor for more than 30 years. He leaves his wife Lusi, daughter Grasia, 20, and son Wesley, 18.


Bishop Dr Robert Solomon conducted a short service at the premises of Hosanna Bereavement Services at Lorong 8, Toa Payoh, on June 2.


In attendance were Bishop Kohar's family and GMI pastors and leaders, including Mrs Maimunah Natasha. Also present were Singapore Methodists, including Mrs Malar Solomon and Mr Lim K. Tham, who is also the General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Singapore.


In a tribute, Mrs Maimunah Natasha said Bishop Kohar was a "dedicated pastor and a blessing to Methodists in Indonesia", and "we will miss him very much and his teachings and the way he guided us".


As soon as the half-hour service was over, plans were made to fly his body immediately to Jakarta where the funeral service was held on June 4 at Immanuel Methodist Church, after which he was cremated. Bishop H. Doloksaribu, Bishop of GMI Region I, conducted the service, and former Bishop Bachtiar Kwee of Region II gave the message.