Lenten letters focus on dialogue, responsibility

Two Church leaders recently focused on interfaith relations and social responsibility in their Lenten pastoral letters.

Bishop Johannes Pujasumarta of Bandung, capital of West Java province, focused on the development of interfaith relations that have been established in the predominantly Muslim area.

He started his letter, “Development of Interfaith Relations,” by recalling an interfaith meeting held on Christmas Day, 2008, in the compound of St. Peter Cathedral Church in Bandung. During this meeting, Buddhist, Catholic, Confucian, Hindu, Muslim, Protestant and traditional religion representatives agreed to maintain unity among different religions.

“Let us enter the 2009 Lenten season with this spirit,” he said in the document, which was read out during Masses on Feb. 21 and 22 in all 23 parishes as well as chapels. Each Massgoer also received a copy of it.

The prelate said he hopes that “the spirit of brotherhood that has been established will grow and bear abundant fruit” for the good of society.

He explained that he wants Catholics to be more willing to engage in dialogue on communal issues and work for the common good.

Bandung diocese covers the major part of West Java province, where Muslims form 96.5 percent of the 25.7 million local population, and Catholics 0.4 percent. Protestants form 1.2 percent, Buddhists 0.2 percent and Hindus 0.1 percent. There are also small numbers of Confucians and followers of the traditional Javanese-Sundanese religion.

Meanwhile, Jesuit Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja of Jakarta has chosen “Let us be responsible!” as the theme of his Lenten pastoral letter, which was also read out during Masses on Feb. 21 and 22 in all 60 parishes in the archdiocese.

According to the cardinal, his letter aimed at addressing irresponsible acts in society, such as illegal logging, construction of villas on mountainous areas whose forests should be protected, and undisciplined driving that causes traffic disorder.

“Being responsible means we control ourselves and firmly distinguish between good and bad, true and false,” the cardinal stated.

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