Father Sandyawan

Father Sandyawan

Referring to Sunarto's letter on Oct. 8, I agree that Father Sandyawan must obey Indonesian law. In fact the priest stated the same in his open letter dated Aug. 17 to various publications. He said he was willing to bear all legal consequences in the context of his responsibility and personal decision to harbor three suspects. I would like to point out again that what Sandyawan did was a reflection of faith which expressed love for fellow humans. If because of his deed he must be penalized, he declared humbly that he was willing to bear the responsibility.

To people who see the matter from a legal aspect only, without considering the aspects of faith and morality, Sandyawan is clearly guilty. If there were laws allowing euthanasia or abortion, anyone considering the deed from a solely legal aspect could not be faulted before the law. However, from the aspect of faith, the deed clearly cannot be accounted for before God.

Professional secrets or respect for other people's secrets are based on religious, human and noble cultural considerations. Stating that a priest is only obliged to safeguard the confessions of his congregation and is not obliged to do the same for people of other faiths is oversimplification. Those who keep professional secrets are individuals who are obliged by their profession and for the sake of noble collective moral values, not to betray the party that has entrusted a secret to them. This involves respect for the integrity of fellow humans. At the same time it shows the noble culture of civilized humankind, which distinguishes man from other beings, i.e. the existence of trust and trustworthiness.

If Sandyawan must be punished because he has applied his faith and love for fellow humans, a deed which is in accordance with the second principle of Pancasila: a just and civilized humanity, he remains in my eyes a selfless hero who is willing to make a sacrifice for the sake of people who were confused in their uncertain condition as to whom to ask for help. The punishment will show the nobleness and firmness of a person like Father Sandyawan. A noble and selfless attitude that is rarely found nowadays.

B. AJIE KAWENTAR

Jakarta