UCA News
Contribute

Indonesian bishop attacks Covid-19 profiteers

People are looking to exploit misery for political and material gain, Bishop Mandagi says
Indonesian bishop attacks Covid-19 profiteers

Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi says some people are exploiting Covid-19 suffering. (Photo: Konradus Epa/UCA News)

Published: June 03, 2020 06:42 AM GMT
Updated: June 03, 2020 06:49 AM GMT

An Indonesian bishop has hit out at individuals and groups he says have exploited the Covid-19 chaos for economic and political benefits.

Sacred Heart Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Amboina in Maluku province said he could not believe that amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has caused so much misery worldwide there are people and groups wanting to profit from it.

His criticism came during a livestreamed Pentecost Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Ambon on May 31.

“They are now becoming richer,” he said, adding that they did not want to see a decline in the number of new cases, “because if the pandemic subsides their income will also drop.”

Bishop Mandagi told UCA News that he spoke out because he could not stand people profiting from other people’s suffering.

"I was saddened because as the nation struggles to stop the virus, some individuals, politicians and groups want the pandemic to continue," he said on June 2.

The bishop did not name any groups or individuals who he thought were guilty of profiteering.

He said they wanted the economic situation in Indonesia to get worse, and more people to become jobless and poorer, so that the government would be blamed and they can demand a new government.

“They are power-hungry people and want to maintain wealth gained through corruption. They are against the Holy Spirit,” he said.

Stanislaus Riyanta, an intelligence analyst at the University of Jakarta, agreed with the bishop, saying there were groups using the pandemic for their own political interests.

Besides extremist groups wanting to establish a caliphate, there are also political groups spreading discontent and inviting people to weaken a legitimate government.

Riyanta said they are part of opposition groups who lost out in the 2019 presidential election. They are a group of people that want to take power but cannot do it through democracy.

"They realize they don’t have enough power to overthrow the president, so they use Covid-19 to try and seize power,” he told UCA News.

Riyanta said the government should not be distracted by their activities and focus on handling the coronavirus. However, at the same time the government should not underestimate them and called for them to be monitored to prevent actions that could undermine the state.

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