Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo says bishops can learn from the papal document. (Photo: Katharina R. Lestari/ucanews)
The Indonesian Bishops’ Conference kicked off its 10-day annual meeting on Nov. 4 in Bandung, West Java, with a focus on human fraternity.
Archbishops and bishops from all 37 Indonesian archdioceses and dioceses, as well as several priests and nuns, will be attending the meeting, which will end on Nov. 14.
It is being held under the theme "Human Fraternity for Peaceful Indonesia" and takes its inspiration from the document “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” signed on Feb. 4 by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el- Tayyeb, in Abu Dhabi during the papal visit to the United Arab Emirates.
The document highlights several peace-building aspirations including “an invitation to reconciliation and fraternity among all believers … and non-believers, and among all people of goodwill.”
“This meeting is rooted in the Abu Dhabi document, and it is hoped that by learning from the document we can achieve aspirations and do something to transform a life,” conference chairman Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta was quoted as saying in his opening speech by the conference’s website.
Also attending the opening day at Bandung Diocese’s Pastoral Center was Aloma Sarumaha, secretary of the Directorate General for Catholic Community Guidance.
“Human fraternity for a peaceful Indonesia must become our main commitment to strengthen national bonds,” he said.
Speaking to ucanews, Justina Rostiawati, chairwoman of the Jakarta-based Catholic Women of the Republic of Indonesia, said the meeting should highlight the importance of interreligious dialogue among archbishops and bishops at a time when intolerance and extremism have become a major concern.
She said few archdioceses and dioceses in predominantly Christian provinces remain unaware of the threats posed by intolerance and extremism.
“Such dialogue can be achieved through local cultural events where participation by people from different religious backgrounds is actively encouraged,” she said.