UCA News
Contribute

Indonesian Catholics schooled in the rules of democracy

Bishops encourage young adults' civic involvement
Indonesian Catholics schooled in the rules of democracy

A woman inks her finger after voting in Indonesia's presidential election in July 2014. Bishops in the country want to encourage young Catholics to participate in the electoral process ahead of local elections on Dec. 9. (Photo by Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP)

Published: September 21, 2015 08:32 AM GMT
Updated: September 20, 2015 10:33 PM GMT

Part of being a good Catholic is good citizenship, young adults in Indonesia were told by the country's bishops.

About 20 young Catholic adults attended a bishops' "School for Democracy" workshop held Sept. 18-20 in Jakarta. During the program, the students were reminded that for many of them, the Dec. 9 local elections would represent the first time they could vote.

"Our young Catholic people will be mobilized to take an active part in the preparation of the elections," said Father Antonius Haryanto, secretary of the bishops' conference's Commission for Youth.

Father Haryanto said that part of the goal of the school was to educate young Catholics on the need to participate in the election process and to monitor their elected leaders in order to help build democracy.

Many young adults were apathetic to the election process "because they think politics is dirty and full of intrigue," Father Haryanto told ucanews.com.

"We are encouraging their involvement in politics as part of the call to be a good Catholic," he said.

Joannes Joko, a facilitator of the program, said that while the program encouraged young Catholic adults to take an active part in politics, the goal also was to galvanize them to take an interest in the issues affecting their communities, and to understand how to use the political process to solve problems.

"Young Catholic adults must believe that politics is a matter related to their daily lives," said Joko, who serves as secretary-general of the Indonesian Catholic Graduates Association.

"The program wants to make Catholics realize that they, too, are called to do something for society," he added.

Yohana Lobo, a young Catholic from Makassar diocese, said young Catholic adults were "allergic to politics."

"In our diocese, efforts taken to make Catholics understand the importance of and the basis of political involvement is still low," she said.

Yasintus Runesi, from South Jakarta, said he learned how his "Catholic identity impacts me in politics.

"Of all the Church's political concept, I see that the Church's social teachings serve as a guideline on what good politics should be," he said.

 

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia