UCA News
Contribute

Weak political will 'behind violence'

Inability to come up with plan to apply rule of law is fueling anarchy, priest says
Weak political will 'behind violence'
Father Antonius Benny Susetyo
Published: February 14, 2012 08:35 AM GMT
Updated: February 14, 2012 08:35 AM GMT

A priest has accused the government of lacking the will to identify and tackle underlying problems which have led to growing cases of intolerance and violence in the country over the past few years. “It has failed to configure a set of norms to resolve problems,” Father Antonius Benny Susetyo, executive secretary of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference’s Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, said yesterday He was speaking at a meeting between the chairman of the Regional Representatives Council, Irman Gusman, and human rights activists at the house of representatives in Jakarta. “Our vision of a national way of life has not been reached yet. The government has no political will to map out and take on the main causes of the problems creating violence in Indonesia,” he continued. Attempts to resolve violence at a political level does not seem to bearing any fruits at all, he said. Seto Mulyadi from the National Commission for Child Protection added that violence is also increasing among children, citing a growing number of bullying cases recorded among elementary school students. “About 60-70 percent [of children] experience bullying in some form or another. In society in general we are hearing more and more about other acts of violence, such as kidnappings and rapes,” he said. Gusman acknowledged that Indonesia, as one of the largest democracies in the world, is yet to achieve equality under the law. “Democracy without discipline and legal enforcement will plunge into anarchy,” he warned.

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