The rector of St. Peter Canisius Minor Seminary in Magelang, Central Java, says future priests must learn more about pluralism to help them promote tolerance and mutual understanding among people of different faiths.

“Tolerance and mutual understanding will surely maintain diversity, which is a noble characteristic of Indonesia and to which our founding fathers attached great importance,” Jesuit Father Ignatius Sumaryo told participants at a July 23 seminar in the seminary’s hall.

The seminar was called “Instilling priestly vocations with a pluralistic spirit.”

Religion-based conflicts can be prevented if all future religious leaders, including seminarians, learn more about pluralism, the former rector of the Jesuit-run Canisius College in Jakarta said.