ASIA/INDONESIA - Assembly of diocesan priests: attention to formation in seminaries is urgently needed

Tuesday, 7 October 2014

Ambon (Agenzia Fides) - During an assembly of diocesan priests underway in Ambon, in the Moluccas islands in Indonesia, emphasizes is put on the necessity to place attention to formation in seminaries. "If we want a better future, we must prepare it now, with the work of formation in our seminaries", said the Apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia, Archbishop Antonio Guido Filipazzi, recalling that "formation is not only to study" but also "to look after the human and spiritual formation". As Fides learns, the more than 120 priests present are from 35 (out of 37) Indonesian dioceses and have gathered to discuss the topic "Mission, dialogue and peace" in an Islamic center.
The Apostolic Nuncio said that "there can be no dialogue without an identity". This is why "it is important to strengthen the identity of priests and thus strengthen their mission in the world". "The temptation is to say we will not carry out any mission because we want dialogue. The two things go together, and both will help you to have peace and justice. To bring Jesus and the Gospel means to bring peace, while dialogue is the path to understand each other and work together, and is also a path for peace and justice. "The Nuncio asked the priests who were present "to take care of themselves and of their spiritual life".
During the second session of the assembly, about 300 people of other religions joined the priests and bishops present to discuss the issue.
The enlarged Assembly listened to the ideas proposed by the Bishop of Amboina, Petrus Canisius Mandagi, who recalled how believing in dialogue was the way to resolve the conflict between Christians and Muslims between 1999 and 2002, which caused about five thousand deaths and 500,000 displaced. (PA-PCP) (Agenzia Fides 07/10/2014)


Share: