Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ambon (Agenzia Fides) - The Diocese of Amboina in the Moluccas islands in Indonesia, has inaugurated a monument to St. Francis Xavier to celebrate the arrival of the Saint in Ambon, 469 years ago. As Fides learns, the statue, six meters high, was blessed by the Apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi. The monument is located in the bay of Ambon, overlooking the sea, where the Jesuit missionary landed on February 14, 1546, beginning his evangelizing mission in the Moluccas.
The blessing was attended not only by the many faithful, but also by the Bishop of Amboina, Petrus Canisius Mandagi, the governor of the Moluccas, the mayor of Ambon and also the head of the local indigenous people who live in the area.
The Nuncio said that the blessing took place on 1 October, an important day for Indonesia, because it is the day when the "Pancasila" was enshrined, it is the official philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state. It comprises five principles held to be inseparable and interrelated. Mgr. Filipazzi highlighted: "Pancasila is an essential reference for all Indonesian citizens of different religions. Thanks to the Pancasila, Muslims, Christians and members of other religions can live together and participate in this ceremony".
According to the Nuncio "the fact that this monument was erected in an area where now Protestants are in a majority, is also significant. At the time of St. Francis, the relationship between Protestants and Catholics was not so peaceful. Today, it is essential that Catholics and Protestants work together for the good of the Indonesian society".
Bishop Mandagi pointed out that the monument is an invitation to improve peace and harmony among the local population: "Let us pray in front of this statue so that Catholics, Protestants and Muslims do not fight each other, but live brotherhood". (PCP-PA) (Agenzia Fides 03/10/2014)
