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)