Jakarta (UCAN): The Indonesian Bishops’ Conference wrapped up its annual 10-day meeting on November 14 with a message highlighting the importance of spreading human fraternity among Catholics and non-Catholics, particularly young people, in the country.
The meeting in Bandung, West Java, was held under the theme, Human Fraternity for Peaceful Indonesia, which took its inspiration from the document, Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, signed on February 4 by Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayyeb, in Abu Dhabi during the papal visit to the United Arab Emirates.
A document signed by the conference chairperson, Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo and its secretary-general, Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunyamin of Bandung, said Indonesia needs to learn the message of the Abu Dhabi document.
Cardinal Suharyo said religious leaders were acutely aware of the social issues facing the world, such as poverty, corruption, extremism, terrorism, discrimination and environmental destruction.
In the context of Indonesia, he said, one issue that has become a tough challenge for the nation is emerging extremism morphing into terrorism.
“The Church must open up, leave its comfort zone and be present in the midst of society to strengthen interreligious brotherhood. The Church must spread peace and benevolence, respect human rights, cultivate dialogue, promote equality and justice, improve public health, raise awareness of scientific developments and maintain harmonious coexistence in diversity,” the bishops’ message said.
“Human fraternity must bring goodness in human life in its dimensions and be a witness to the greatness of faith in God who unites divided hearts and becomes a sign of the closeness between those who believe that God created human beings to understand each other, work together and live like brothers.”
The bishops, it said, “consider the Abu Dhabi document very important to be spread among Catholics and in society, particularly among the young generation in various ways, also using social media.”
Juventus Prima Yoris Kago, chairperson of the Indonesian Catholic University Students Association, said his group takes pride in the fact that it does open up to all people from different religious backgrounds.
“We take an active part in various activities, including discussions on social issues. We must not be apathetic. This is what the Abu Dhabi document talks about,” he said.
Adressing the use of social media he said, “It’s a very powerful tool. Young people can help spread the (Abu Dhabi) document’s message and become social media influencers.”
Dewi Kartika Maharani Praswida, a 23-year-old Muslim woman from Semarang, Central Java, who met Pope Francis in Vatican City early this year, suggested that the Abu Dhabi document should not be spread merely through social media but also through formal education.
“It can also be introduced through interreligious activities among young people,” she said.
