Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Semarang (Agenzia Fides) - Interfaith meetings between Christians and Muslims are taking place today and will take place in different parts of Indonesia to celebrate and live the "spirit of Assisi" This is what Fides learned from sources in the Indonesian Church.
In Yoyakarata (island of Java), in the Archdiocese of Semarang, on Archbishop Johannes Pujasumarta’s initiative, who is also Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference, the leaders and the local Christian communities are organizing, together with leaders of major Muslim organizations, a meeting, to reiterate a message of peace and coexistence to the nation. Leaders of other religions (such as Buddhists and Hindus) will also participate, in an event greeted with enthusiasm, especially among young people.
In the Archdiocese of Medan, on Sumatra island - in an area predominantly Muslim where Islamic movements are also in favor of sharia (see Banda Aceh) - Archbishop Situmornag Martinus, President of the Episcopal Conference, on the occasion of the meeting in Assisi, sensitized the religious leaders awareness of keeping alive in the local population, "the force of a symbolic event of dialogue and peace, which is fully in the spirit of Pancasila", the fundamental law of the state. The local commission of Justice and Peace will organize a major interreligious meeting in January 2012. Even in other dioceses such as Larantuka, on the island of Flores, commemorative gatherings are held, in conjunction with the meeting in Assisi and in full communion with the Holy Father, especially from organized movements such as the Catholic Community of Sant'Egidio and the Focolari.
Archbishop Pujasumarta remarked in an interview with Fides: "In Indonesia, dialogue is crucial, it is an integral part of everyday life. Our program is to promote a dialogue on three levels: with religions, cultures and society. This results in three key words: respectively, inculturation, fraternity and development. There are many experiences in which this 'triple dialogue' is fulfilled: for example, in solidarity with people affected by the eruption of the Merapi volcano, but also in meetings like those of today, inspired by the Spirit of Assisi. We are in communion with the Pope and the universal Church". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/10/2011)
