Pastoral Congress opens in Maumere

Pastoral Congress opens in Maumere

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: Ende Archbishop Mgr. Abdon
Longinus da Cunha Pr opened here on Tuesday the 4th Pastoral
Congress with a call for more concern for people suffering from
economic woes.

Da Cunha said in his opening speech that the country was on
the brink of disintegration, while poor people suffered more due
to the prolonged economic crisis.

He called on all layers of society to listen to the poor
during this economic crisis.

"This congress is the right time to heed both God's words in
the Bible and the real situation we are now in," he said in front
of some 10,000 people attending the opening ceremony. "We are now
being played one against another."

As many as 750 people from three regencies will take part in
the congress, which will end on July 9.

Youth organizations from various religions, including Islam,
Buddhism and Hinduism, were involved in the preparation of the
congress.

"May such a unity be maintained for good," priest Tibur Tius
Deru P, the chairman of the organizing committee said. (yac).