Father Sandyawan<\/p>\n
Referring to Sunarto's letter on Oct. 8, I agree that Father
\nSandyawan must obey Indonesian law. In fact the priest stated the
\nsame in his open letter dated Aug. 17 to various publications. He
\nsaid he was willing to bear all legal consequences in the context
\nof his responsibility and personal decision to harbor three
\nsuspects. I would like to point out again that what Sandyawan did
\nwas a reflection of faith which expressed love for fellow humans.
\nIf because of his deed he must be penalized, he declared humbly
\nthat he was willing to bear the responsibility.<\/p>\n
To people who see the matter from a legal aspect only, without
\nconsidering the aspects of faith and morality, Sandyawan is
\nclearly guilty. If there were laws allowing euthanasia or
\nabortion, anyone considering the deed from a solely legal aspect
\ncould not be faulted before the law. However, from the aspect of
\nfaith, the deed clearly cannot be accounted for before God.<\/p>\n
Professional secrets or respect for other people's secrets are
\nbased on religious, human and noble cultural considerations.
\nStating that a priest is only obliged to safeguard the
\nconfessions of his congregation and is not obliged to do the same
\nfor people of other faiths is oversimplification. Those who keep
\nprofessional secrets are individuals who are obliged by their
\nprofession and for the sake of noble collective moral values, not
\nto betray the party that has entrusted a secret to them. This
\ninvolves respect for the integrity of fellow humans. At the same
\ntime it shows the noble culture of civilized humankind, which
\ndistinguishes man from other beings, i.e. the existence of trust
\nand trustworthiness.<\/p>\n
If Sandyawan must be punished because he has applied his faith
\nand love for fellow humans, a deed which is in accordance with
\nthe second principle of Pancasila: a just and civilized humanity,
\nhe remains in my eyes a selfless hero who is willing to make a
\nsacrifice for the sake of people who were confused in their
\nuncertain condition as to whom to ask for help. The punishment
\nwill show the nobleness and firmness of a person like Father
\nSandyawan. A noble and selfless attitude that is rarely found
\nnowadays.<\/p>\n
B. AJIE KAWENTAR<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/father-sandyawan-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }