Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – His diocese includes over more than a thousand small islands: Bishop Hilarius Moa Nurak, missionary of the Divine Word, is Bishop of the Diocese of Pangkal Pinang, in the South China Sea. The headquarters of the diocese are located on the island of Bangka, located between the two major islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Bishop Moa Nurak, in Rome for a training course held at CIAM (International Center for Missionary Animation), spoke with Fides about the Muslim-Christian relations in Indonesia and the life of the local Church there.
"Dialogue is the key for the local churches in the vast nation of Indonesia, in order for them to live and carry out their pastoral and apostolic activities with confidence and security," the Bishop told Fides.
"In Pangkal Pinang we have gradually built up a good personal relationship with civil authorities and with local Muslim leaders: this is fundamental to the life of our community. Thanks to this, permits for the construction of schools, hospitals, community centers, and pastoral structures, are granted to us without difficulty. Even in the construction of new churches, we have never had a problem. We ask permission and we follow the bureaucratic process to obtain the license for the building," the Prelate told Fides, noting that his diocese does not experience the difficulties currently being seen in other areas of the country, such as West Java (see Fides 17/2/2010). This difference also results, obviously, from the lack of Muslim fundamentalist groups in the territory and the fact that Pangkal Pinang is a smaller and more peripheral diocese, and which is not under media spotlight.
"Even for the dissemination of apostolic material, local authorities there have never imposed restrictions. We maintain cordial relations, in respect and friendship, with local Muslim leaders. We invite them to our events and participate in their festivities," continues Bishop Hilarius.
Dialogue works among the leaders, but also among the common people. "There has been a peaceful integration of social components of different cultures and religions. The local tribe called the malayus, predominantly Muslim, lives in harmony with the Chinese who have immigrated from mainland China. There are Catholic faithful amongst all the ethnic components of society, without any conflicts. We continue to work towards dialogue and peace."
The missionary Bishop told Fides: "Proclaiming the Gospel for us means bearing witness in brotherhood, love, unity, and peaceful coexistence." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/2/2010)
