Religious harmony in E. Nusa Tenggara

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: The inauguration of the new secretary to the Kupang archbishop on Sunday will be a demonstration of religious tolerance.

Ninety non-Catholic youths from the dominantly Catholic territory will volunteer to help the local security officers and 400 fellow Catholic youths secure the ceremony.

Local police chief, Lt. Col. Yulius Sutopo, said Wednesday that the security team would also consist of 30 Moslem, Protestant, and Hindu youths. The police and military will deploy 350 personnel.

Abdul Majid, the chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Youths Communication Forum, said the participation of Moslems was to show that there was religious co-existence in the area.

"We'll help make the ceremony a success and show we all can live harmoniously," Majid said.

About 50,000 Catholics from the island of Flores as well as from the islands of Timor, Sabu, Roti, Sumba, and Alor will attend the inauguration of Father Petrus Turang.

Also attending the ceremony are Vatican Ambassador Pietro Sambi, Dili bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, Baucau bishop Basilio Dos Nacimento and the family of Petrus from Manado, North Sulawesi.

The ceremony will feature an enormous traditional dance performed by 1,000 dancers. (yac/aan)