ASIA/INDONESIA - A priest from Jakarta and his flock: “We live the joy of the Gospel that Francis brings us”

Jakarta (Fides News Agency) - "The figure is joy, contentment, cheer". Father Justin Solistiadi, 60-year-old vice-parish priest in the parish of Saint John Mary Vianney in the east of the capital, Jakarta, told Fides News Agency all about the enthusiasm of Indonesian believers in view of Pope Francis's arrival in the city, speaking from his point of view: a Catholic community counting 7,000 souls, inserted in the social fabric of a city "amidst a largely Muslim population, with whom we coexist peacefully" . This joy, he said, "permeates the various ecclesial realities and the basic communities of the parish, and of other churches, but it is also perceived by Muslim believers," he observed. "Some older worshippers - he continued - recall the visit of John Paul II 35 years ago, but the newer generations did not experience this in 1989 so for them it will be the first time they welcome a Pope, and there even is some regret because it will be a short visit, lasting only three days in our country".

Father Justin, a social communications specialist, will be the commentator for the television network Kompas TV during the Pope's mass in the national stadium. In the meantime, he has tried to animate and sensitize ecclesial realities and movements to spiritually prepare the faithful for the visit which "is essentially pastoral, it is a visit for our faith and for our Christian testimony, as Cardinal Suharyo said; and it also holds meaning for interreligious relations," he remarked.

In the parish of Saint John Mary Vianney, in addition to a territorial network of "basic communities", are the different ecclesial movements that have mobilized: the faithful will partake - some in person, others through mass media - in the meetings scheduled in the papal program. These are: the "Culture of life" group, inspired by Evangelium vitae; the "Buona novella" missionary group; "Catholic fellowship Jakarta" which brings together those worshippers who, following their experience abroad, celebrate their life of faith in English; the "Adoremus" prayer group. There is also the state-recognized "Icon of Indonesian Cultures" association, which unites people of different cultures and religions.

Don Justin has also created and brought together a special committee of journalists, both Catholic and non-Catholic, to talk about the media's work, in order to accompany journalists, communicators, influencers in the media coverage and the communication service, with the specific objective of enhancing the meaning of the places the Pope will visit: "For example – he explains – the visit to the Cathedral and the mosque, which stand opposite one another. The tenor of our reflection is this: the Pope's blessing will illuminate this place", referring to each official venue.

Thanks to the help of his fellow journalists, the priest has also created a new website with a dual purpose: "To raise awareness about and encourage the faithful on the visit of Pope Francis; to announce the Gospel and promote the values of the Church, in view and throughout the Jubilee Year". "For us – he concluded – the presence of Pope Francis will be a foretaste of the Jubilee, which means immense joy and bliss. The one we experience with anticipation and the one we will experience more fully in a few days' time: it is that joy that comes from the Gospel which the Vicar of Christ will bring us ".
(PA) (Fides News Agency 31/8/2024)

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