Church leaders send joint Xmas message
Church leaders send joint Xmas message
JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of the Protestant and Roman Catholic
churches in Indonesia made a joint appeal yesterday to their
flock to celebrate this Christmas by showing solidarity with
fellow human beings, particularly those who are less fortunate.
"Let us truly experience brotherhood and solidarity with all
fellow compatriots, and together build a more prosperous future,"
according to the joint message by the Communion of Churches in
Indonesia (PGI) and the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI).
While their message urged Christian and Roman Catholics to
worship Jesus Christ and to reflect their joy this Christmas, it
also contained various social messages.
"We worship God because His deeds were for mankind's
salvation. He respected every human being, although among them
there were differences, in religion, ethnicity, race, and social
grouping," according to the statement, a copy of which was made
available to the press yesterday.
"Worshiping God must be truly reflected in our faith, that
every person is entitled to the same respect and dignity.
"Based on this faith, we support efforts that stress
prosperity for all mankind, and cultivate solidarity in all
aspect of society's life," said the statement by PGI chairman
Sularso Sopater and KWI chief Yulius Bishop Darmaatmadja.
Christians and Roman Catholics must reflect their faith in
their social behavior, "through the services in education and
health - including in containing the spread of HIV/AIDS and in
treating those who have HIV/AIDS - and through giving more
attention to our lesser fortunate brothers and sisters."
"Misfortune, poverty and deprivation are not consistent with
the intentions of God in creating mankind," they added.
The statement underlined that equality of all human beings as
God's creation is at the foundation of citizens' human rights,
particularly their right to live, to practice their religion and
to raise a family in accordance with their faith.
"These rights are not given by the state or society. They are
owned by people from the moment they are created.
"That is why we are called to continue with the endeavor to
ensure that these rights are guaranteed and protected, wherever
they live, taking into account the social and cultural settings.
The message appealed to Protestants and Roman Catholics to be
"critical and responsible" in their lives, amidst the growing
dominance of power, wealth and the use of science and knowledge
that does not necessary encourage a harmonious coexistence."
(01/emb)