JAKARTA (UCAN) -- Jakarta's new archbishop has asked Catholics for support, understanding and a spirit of solidarity with the poor and disadvantaged to help him be a bishop for each and every Catholic in the capital.

"As bishop of all the faithful, I would love, respect, pay attention to and serve all regardless of your different socio-economic, educational and ethnic backgrounds," Jesuit Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja said at his installation Mass June 29.

The cardinal added, though, that what worries him most is that despite his intentions, his position could come between him and the underprivileged, or be used to distance them from him, or one group from another.

"All of you as groups or individuals could help prevent such situations by not claiming or implying that I am closer to certain groups," he said.

Cardinal Darmaatmadja also urged Jakarta Catholics to be more involved in society with their individual qualities and skills "so through you the Church can contribute something good for the society and the nation as a whole."

About 2,000 Catholics attended the installation Mass of the former Semarang archbishop at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral. It was concelebrated by 10 bishops, including Archbishop Pietro Sambi, apostolic pronuncio to Indonesia.

The new Jakarta archbishop recalled advice he received from his predecessor, the late Jesuit Archbishop Leo Soekoto.

At his episcopal ordination in Semarang in 1983, Cardinal Darmaatmadja said, Archbishop Soekoto told him, "God and I could not make me a good archbishop without the support and understanding of all priests, Religious and faithful."

"Today, I believe the late Archbishop Soekoto repeats his advice to me," the cardinal added. He also expressed his gratitude to Catholics in Semarang archdiocese for nurturing him as archbishop during the past 13 years.

Meanwhile, Archbishop Sambi described Cardinal Darmaatmadja as a man of prayer "who taps wisdom from his piety. He is also a man who always strives for dialogue and unity on the basis of truth and justice."

The transfer of Cardinal Darmaatmadja from Semarang to Jakarta will benefit the Church in Jakarta and the whole Indonesian Catholic Church, and will influence religious tolerance in the country, he said.

"Religious tolerance based on mutual respect and the spirit of cooperation is vital in maintaining the unity of this nation," Archbishop Sambi added.

Gustaaf Soeryo Boentoro, representing Jakarta parishioners, said in his speech that all Catholics in the capital are happy to have a new archbishop after seven months without one. Archbishop Soekoto resigned on Nov. 10 of last year, and died of spinal cancer at age 75, on Dec. 30.

Auxenlius Djoko Wijono, chairman of Ikatan Sarjana Katolik Indonesia (Indonesian association of Catholic graduates), told UCA News that Jakarta Catholics should support Cardinal Darmaatmadja in his desire to be a bishop for all, including the poor and underprivileged.

Wijono also noted that the new Jakarta archbishop could utilize the potential of parishioners already organized in various groups.

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