On Wednesday, Pope Francis was greeted with enthusiasm by Indonesian bishops, priests, and the Catholic community during his visit to Jakarta’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption.
His message emphasized the importance of sharing “the joy of encountering Christ,” especially in a country as richly diverse as Indonesia.
The Pope made it clear that spreading the Gospel should not be about imposing beliefs but rather sharing the joy of faith with respect and love for everyone, regardless of their background.
He encouraged the community to remain open and friendly, serving as “prophets of communion” in a world often marked by division.
Language and Connection
Pope Francis also highlighted the need to make Church teachings more accessible by translating them into Bahasa Indonesia, the country’s official language.
This would ensure that more people can engage with the teachings and feel connected to the broader Catholic community.
During his visit, the cathedral was filled with joyful cheers, particularly from religious sisters.
Sister Aurelia, who joined the Sisters of Notre Dame five years ago, expressed her deep excitement, saying she could die happy if she had the chance to meet the pope.
Her emotion reflected the strong bond between the local community and the Vatican.
Challenges in a Diverse Nation
The challenges of ministering in a country with over 700 languages were also brought to the pope’s attention.
Sister Rina Rosalina shared her experiences, noting that the distance and language barriers often make it difficult to study Church documents from Rome.
She appealed to Pope Francis to help speed up the translation process so that Indonesian Catholics can remain united with the global Church.
Despite the challenges, Pope Francis was full of energy and humor during the event.
This marked his first day of public appearances in an 11-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Bishop Antonius Franciskus Subianto Bunyamin, president of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, expressed gratitude for the pope’s presence, emphasizing the hope it brings to both the Catholic community and the diverse Indonesian nation.
Compassion and Unity
Pope Francis praised the local Church’s charitable work, stressing the importance of compassion in serving others.
He reminded everyone that compassion enhances our understanding of life, allowing us to see the world through the lens of love.
The Sisters of Notre Dame congregation, which operates schools, hospitals, and orphanages across Indonesia, brought over 100 members to Jakarta for the occasion.
As Catholics gathered outside the cathedral, the Muslim call to prayer echoed from the Istiqlal Mosque nearby.
This interfaith harmony set the stage for Pope Francis’ upcoming meeting with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, underscoring Indonesia’s religious diversity.
Faith Amid Diversity
For Catholics like Baso Darmawan from Bogor, living alongside Muslim neighbors is a daily reminder of faith.
He noted how the Muslim call to prayer often serves as a prompt for him to pray, highlighting the peaceful coexistence between different religious communities.
Although Catholics make up only about 3% of Indonesia’s population, the Church is still vibrant, with millions of members, thousands of priests, and numerous lay missionaries.
Father Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, deputy secretary for the Archdiocese of Jakarta, described the Church as lively, with full congregations on Sundays and active parish communities.
A Blessed Conclusion
The pope’s visit to the cathedral concluded with a prayer of the Hail Mary, followed by a blessing for the congregation.
Before leaving, Pope Francis took a moment to bless those gathered in the square adjacent to the cathedral.
As his day in Jakarta came to a close, the 87-year-old pope planned to meet with young people involved in Scholas Occurrentes before returning to rest.
Reflecting on the visit, Pope Francis echoed the words of St. John Paul II from his 1989 visit to Indonesia, urging the local Catholics to continue spreading the joy of the Gospel, even to the most distant islands.
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