South Sulawesi police chief told reporters that based on initial findings, one person died during the blast at the gate of the church compound. Five church staffers and four worshippers were injured and taken to nearby hospitals, he added, The Straits Times reported.
“What we can be sure of is that there is one body, allegedly the suicide bomber,” he said as quoted by Kompas TV. “The body was attached to a motorbike, apparently (he) had yet to descend because he was stopped by a church officer."
He noted although the bombing was “high explosive”, there was no significant damage at the church.
The police have set up a cordon around the church and a disaster victim identification team is investigating the incident.
Earlier, priest Wilhelmus Tulak told Kompas TV that he heard a “very loud explosion” at around 10.30am, after a second mass finished.
“Two people on a motorbike wanted to enter (the church compound), but a security officer held them (at the gate) and the explosion occurred,” he said, adding that the security officer had earlier observed the two “suspicious” persons.
Wilhelmus said several worshippers were injured by flying glass from shattered windows.
The Makassar cathedral is near the popular Karebosi Park, where people like to exercise.
Catholic worshippers in Indonesia are celebrating Palm Sunday, one week prior to Easter.