Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - "The missionary impulse remains essential to the Church’s life, and finds expression not only in the preaching of the Gospel, but also in the Witness of Christian charity. In this regard, I appreciate the intense efforts made by many individuals and agencies in the name of the Church to bring the tender compassion of God to many members of Indonesian society". These are the words the Holy Father Benedict XVI addressed to the Bishops of Indonesia, received at the hearing on October 7, on the occasion of their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit.
In his speech to the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, the Holy Father stressed that "the Indonesia’s constitution guarantees the fundamental human right of freedom to practice one’s religion. The freedom to live and preach the Gospel can never be taken for granted and must always be justly and patiently upheld. Nor is religious freedom merely a right to be free from outside constraints. It is also a right to be authentically Catholic, to practice the faith, to build up the Church and to contribute to the common good, proclaiming the Gospel as Good News for all, and inviting everyone to intimacy with the God of mercy and compassion made manifest in Jesus Christ".
The Pope praised the many priests, men and women religious "who offer glory to the Lord through countless good works which benefit their Indonesian brothers and sisters", in particular to the most needy, and encouraged the Bishops to continue to ensure that the "formation and education that seminarians and men and women religious receive will always be adequate to the mission entrusted to them".
Indonesia is characterized by deep cultural and religious traditions, and of particular importance to the promotion of interreligious dialogue, so the Pope addressed a special invitation to the Bishops so that those entrusted to their pastoral care "know that they, as Christians, are to be agents of peace, perseverance and charity... Believers in Christ, rooted in charity, ought to be committed to dialogue with other religions, respecting mutual differences. Common endeavors for the upbuilding of society will be of great value when they strengthen friendships and overcome misunderstandings or distrust ... By doing everything possible to ensure that the rights of minorities in your country are respected, you further the cause of tolerance and mutual harmony in your country and beyond". (SL) (Agenzia Fides 08/10/2011)
The full text of the Holy Father's speech, in English
