JAKARTA (UCAN) -- Jesuit Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja of Jakarta is among a group of people the Indonesian government has honored as outstanding citizens for their significant contributions to the country.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono conferred 32 medals of honor Aug. 15 during an official ceremony at the presidential palace. The ceremony was part of the annual celebration of Indonesia's Independence Day, Aug. 17. This year Indonesia commemorates 60 years since the proclamation of independence.

Cardinal Darmaatmadja, Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra, Indonesian Parisadha Hindu Dharma Council chairman I Nyoman Suwandha and the late Venerable Ashin Jinarakkhita Maha Sthavira, a Buddhist monk, were honored with "Bintang Mahaputera Utama" (principal star of the great son) awards.

Among the others honored were former heads of branches of the military and four Trisakti University students who were killed on campus during a demonstration in Jakarta in 1998. The killings spurred the reform movement that led to former president Soeharto's downfall after more than 30 years in power. Abdul Karim Oei Tjeng Hien, a Muslim politician of Chinese descent who played a role in the independence movement, also received the award.

Commenting on the government recognition, Cardinal Darmaatmadja told UCA News Aug. 17 that the medal of honor he received is not for him personally. "I feel that the appreciation is for the Catholic Church of Indonesia," said the cardinal, who had just returned from the official independence commemoration at Merdeka (freedom) Palace. "I accept the honor and thank the government for its attention," he added.

According to Indonesia's lone cardinal, who currently chairs the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia, the award is given "in relation to my position as a Catholic leader, as explicitly stated in the letter of citation."

Cardinal Darmaatmadja speculated that the government recognition might have something to do with his involvement with other religious leaders in a national movement for morality. "On several occasions we exchanged moral views. So I receive this honor in togetherness with them," the cardinal-archbishop of Jakarta said.

"I also believe that many Catholics have done meritorious services for the country and the nation in their respective positions. I feel that they also share this honor. I happen to be the leader of Indonesian Catholics, so I receive the honor," he elaborated.

The medal of honor is given to a citizen or foreigner who has performed extraordinary service benefiting the nation's welfare and security in any of a variety of fields, but excluding military achievements.

Muslim leader Johan Effendi and Reverend Weinata Sairin of the Protestant Church said Cardinal Darmaatmadja deserved the award because he has striven for the good of the nation.

"As a religious leader, the cardinal has done his best to promote interreligious relations. He is an exemplary leader for all of us," Effendi, chairman of the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace, told UCA News Aug. 17.

Reverend Sairin said he felt proud of the cardinal's award. He explained that in his view, the cardinal is not only a leader for Catholics but also a national figure who has struggled for the country's best interests through the moral movement.

"The honor signifies appreciation of religious pluralism. For the Catholic Church in Indonesia, it is (an event) worthy of recording in local Church history," the general secretary of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia told UCA News Aug. 17.

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(Accompanying photos available at here)