Bishops call for brotherhood<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The national congress of the Indonesian Bishop's
\nConference opened Saturday with a solemn mass and a plea to
\nCatholics to work toward brotherhood among all people.<\/p>\n
Thirty-six bishops and archbishops from 34 dioceses across the
\ncountry conducted the mass at the Jakarta Fairgrounds. Thousands
\nof Catholics participated in the event presided over by Cardinal
\nJulius Darmaatmadja, who chairs the conference.<\/p>\n
East Timor Bishop Mgr. Felipe Belo Ximenes, whose diocese has
\nyet to be included in the assembly, did not attend the congress.
\nHe is still at the Vatican to brief the pontiff on the recent
\nviolence in East Timor.<\/p>\n
In his sermon, Darmaatmadja said encouraged Indonesian
\nCatholics to strive to develop a sense of solidarity among
\nthemselves and a feeling of brotherhood with people of other
\nreligions.<\/p>\n
In order to do this, he said, Catholics must set aside
\ndifferences and find common ground. He warned that emphasizing
\ndifferences could lead to violence and enmity among religious
\ngroups, which could threaten the nation's stability and unity.<\/p>\n
He also advised all of the nation's various social groups --
\nregardless of ethnic background and religion -- to participate in
\nthe government's development programs.<\/p>\n
He told the congregation to learn from the how youth leaders
\nin 1928, under the oppression of a colonial power, declared that
\nthey would stay united regardless of differences. The Youth
\nPledge -- one people, one nation, one language -- was
\ncommemorated on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"A good Catholic is a good citizen,\" said Darmaatmaja, who was
\nappointed as cardinal by Pope John Paul II last year.<\/p>\n
The pontiff yesterday exhorted the Catholic leaders' congress
\nto produce thoughts and efforts for the common good of all of the
\nIndonesian people.<\/p>\n
\"The Roman Catholic Church in Indonesia should be wise and
\nbrave and contribute to the common good of all people, regardless
\nof the difficulties it is facing,\" the Vatican's Secretary of
\nState Angelo Cardinal Sodano said in a letter which was read at
\nthe mass.<\/p>\n
The national congress, to last through Thursday, will discuss
\ninternal matters and social problems faced by the Indonesian
\nRoman Catholic Church. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bishops-call-for-brotherhood-1447893297",
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