Bishops call for brotherhood

Bishops call for brotherhood

JAKARTA (JP): The national congress of the Indonesian Bishop's
Conference opened Saturday with a solemn mass and a plea to
Catholics to work toward brotherhood among all people.

Thirty-six bishops and archbishops from 34 dioceses across the
country conducted the mass at the Jakarta Fairgrounds. Thousands
of Catholics participated in the event presided over by Cardinal
Julius Darmaatmadja, who chairs the conference.

East Timor Bishop Mgr. Felipe Belo Ximenes, whose diocese has
yet to be included in the assembly, did not attend the congress.
He is still at the Vatican to brief the pontiff on the recent
violence in East Timor.

In his sermon, Darmaatmadja said encouraged Indonesian
Catholics to strive to develop a sense of solidarity among
themselves and a feeling of brotherhood with people of other
religions.

In order to do this, he said, Catholics must set aside
differences and find common ground. He warned that emphasizing
differences could lead to violence and enmity among religious
groups, which could threaten the nation's stability and unity.

He also advised all of the nation's various social groups --
regardless of ethnic background and religion -- to participate in
the government's development programs.

He told the congregation to learn from the how youth leaders
in 1928, under the oppression of a colonial power, declared that
they would stay united regardless of differences. The Youth
Pledge -- one people, one nation, one language -- was
commemorated on Saturday.

"A good Catholic is a good citizen," said Darmaatmaja, who was
appointed as cardinal by Pope John Paul II last year.

The pontiff yesterday exhorted the Catholic leaders' congress
to produce thoughts and efforts for the common good of all of the
Indonesian people.

"The Roman Catholic Church in Indonesia should be wise and
brave and contribute to the common good of all people, regardless
of the difficulties it is facing," the Vatican's Secretary of
State Angelo Cardinal Sodano said in a letter which was read at
the mass.

The national congress, to last through Thursday, will discuss
internal matters and social problems faced by the Indonesian
Roman Catholic Church. (rms)