Widodo was welcomed by KWI president Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta, secretary-general Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung and 8 other bishops.

"In the meeting, I talked about issues related to the Pancasila [the 5 principles on which the Indonesian state is based) as well as diversity especially in terms of religion, ethnicity, customs and traditions that we must continue to maintain," Widodo later told reporters.

"We must maintain our brotherhood, harmony and unity," he said.

During the meeting that lasted more than an hour, each bishop briefed the president on issues affecting his diocese.

Archbishop Suharyo told UCANEWS that president Widodo's visit was "to build friendship" and had "nothing to do with the presidential election," next year.

General elections in Indonesia are scheduled for April 17, 2019.

For the first time, the president and all the members of the People's Consultative Assembly will be elected on the same day.

Suharyo said, "There was no specific issue raised by the president during the meeting. He just wanted to hear directly from Catholics [about problems they are facing]."

The visit was Widodo's first as president. He had visited the conference's headquarters twice while he was Jakarta's governor from 2012 until 2014.

Suharyo also revealed that Widodo wanted to visit the Vatican.

"If it really happens, then the noble values the Indonesian people live by will be recognized by the international community," he said, referring to diversity and secularism enshrined in the constitution.

Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar of Jayapura said the president stressed the need to maintain diversity "because religious identity has become a big issue, particularly ahead of the presidential election."

Source

ucanews.com

en.antaranews.

vaticannews.

Image: ucanews.com

Suliyono, 22, a suspected Muslim extremist, armed with a sword, entered St. Lidwina Church in Yogyakarta as the congregation was singing a hymn during Mass led by Jesuit Father Karl-Edmund Prier.

"I forgive Sulyono with sincerity. Every day I pray the Our Father prayer, which states that as we forgive those who trespass against us," wrote 81-year-old Father Prier in a letter posted on the bishops' commission on social communication website.

Prier said he could have run away during the assault, "However, my conscience said: 'Do not go. The good shepherd should not run when wolves come.' I remained standing on the altar to divert the attacker's attention to me," he said.

Witnesses said the attacker charged in through the main entrance of the church injuring a parishoner before heading towards the altar.

As well as Prier, three other members of the congregation and a police officer responding to the incident, were injured in the attack.

Suliyono also attacked and damaged statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary.

In the video that went viral on social media, the attacker was seen swinging a sword in front of the altar. Some people were seen throwing rocks or chairs at him.

Police spokesman Yulianto said that Suliyono attempted to resist arrest and was shot by police in the thigh.

He also said Muslims had been very kind and helped clean up the church after the attack.

Archbishop Robertus Rubyatmoko of Semarang appealed for no acts of revenge over the attack.

"Let us just pray for the recovery of the victims and the change for the perpetrator's life," he said.

Anti-terrorism police are still investigating.

Source

• ucanews.com
• ucanews.com
• straitstimes.com
• Image: sesawi.net

They have joined Catholic students who accuse the cleric of insulting Christianity.

They accuse the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front, Rizieq Syihab, of mocking Christians following a sermon on Christmas Day.

He reportedly said, "If God gave birth, then who would be the midwife?"

Angry Catholic students filed a blasphemy complaint the next day.

More than 140 lawyers have supported the case against Syihab.

At a meeting last month at the Catholic students' headquarters in Jakarta, Muslim members of the Interfaith Student Forum and Student Peace Institute, said they also backed the blasphemy case against Syihab.

They said his comments not only hurt Christians but also caused division among Muslims.

"As Muslims we deeply regret [Syihab's comment]," said Slamet Abidin of the Interfaith Student Forum. "He should not have messed with the religious beliefs of others."

"We are determined to help push this through the legal process," he said.

Teaching tolerance

He says the cleric's behaviour damaged the reputation of Islam as a tolerant religion.

The students say remarks like Syihab's will help foster extremism if they're ignored.

The Indonesian Catholic Students Association says police questioned Syihab after the association filed the case against him.

The West Java student chapter of Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia's largest Muslim organisation, has also condemned Syihab's comments.

Indonesia's criminal code on blasphemy carries a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Source:

• Asia Pacific Report
• Image: Jakarta Post