Fides News - English

AFRICA/ALGERIA - Presidential election in Algeria: the military plays an increasingly important role in the country

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 12:56:45 +0200

Algiers - Algerians will elect their Head of State tomorrow, September 7. Outgoing President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, 78, is widely considered the favorite. His only challengers, accepted by the Constitutional Court and confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Authority , are only two: the Islamist Abdelali Hassani Cherif of the Movement for the Society of Peace and Youssef Aouchiche, secretary of the historic opposition party Front des Forces Socialistes . The early election does not seem to have aroused much enthusiasm among the Algerian population, which is struggling with the consequences of the sharp rise in the prices of basic services. According to some interpretations, the decision to bring the election forward to September, announced in March, appears to have been dictated by a desire to prevent protests and demonstrations. The electoral campaign reached its peak in the hot Algerian August, making it difficult, if not impossible, to organize demonstrations. In addition, most workers were on holiday, which reduced the possibility of strikes to a minimum.
Tebboune came to power in 2019 after the overthrow of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who was preparing to serve a fifth term despite poor health and a governance marked by corruption and inefficiency. The angry population had launched the popular movement "Hirak", which took to the streets to demand Bouteflika's resignation. Tebboune had taken office promising reforms, but the 2020 coronavirus pandemic had allowed the regime to introduce measures restricting the population's movement and censoring social media, which effectively paralyzed and brought the "Hirak" movement under control.
Under Tebboune's presidency, the military's role in the administration of power was strengthened, a development that had already begun under Bouteflika, when the center of gravity of real power shifted from the security services to the commanders-in-chief of the armed forces, whose commander-in-chief, General Saïd Chanegriha, often appears alongside the president at public ceremonies. Faced with real or perceived threats affecting Algeria from within and without, the armed forces have been assigned an increasingly important role in public life, and the defense budget is set to increase to nearly €20 billion by 2023.
In this context, it is clear that voter turnout is the real figure that indicates the level of acceptance of the regime among the population. Of the 45 million inhabitants, only 23 million are registered to participate in the election. Voting by Algerians living abroad already began on September 2.

OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - The baptized do not want Christianity as a "state religion"

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 12:31:09 +0200

Port Moresby - The country has a 95% Christian population, but is not based on a "state religion": this is the concept of state in Papua New Guinea, which has been independent since 1975 after Australian colonization. The constitution adopted that year officially proclaimed the "Independent State of Papua New Guinea", with the preamble to the charter containing a reference to "Christian values". In recent years, and in the first months of 2024, motions have been submitted to Parliament for possible constitutional changes to transform the nation into the "Christian State of Papua New Guinea". Since 1847, when the first Catholic missionaries, the Marist Fathers, arrived in the country, traditional belief systems and Christianity have coexisted at various levels. Later, Christian missionaries of various denominations arrived, and since the 1970s, Pentecostals and evangelicals have become more widespread.
It was the representatives of the Pentecostals in particular, with the support of politicians, who proposed changes to the charter, but these did not meet with the approval of the Catholic Church. A letter sent to the government in recent months and signed by the Archbishop of Port Moresby, Cardinal John Ribat , states that they do not agree with the creation of a "confessional state" or with the attempt to enshrine the country's Christian identity in the constitution.
The text notes that this could lead to a "change in the character of the State" and the existing balances, recalling that the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, thought and religion and the right of every citizen to freely practice his faith: a democratic regulatory framework based on the rule of law that allows the peaceful and free development of any religious community. The current model is considered valid by the Catholic Church: priests, religious and missionaries in Papua recall that there is a fruitful cooperation between the State and the Churches, especially in the health and education sectors, which is reflected in the "Church-State Partnership Program". The Anglican Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Baptist Union, the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church and the Salvation Army, as well as other Christian churches and organizations, run about 60% of the schools, health services and social facilities in the country. The government subsidizes these institutions and contributes to the salaries of teachers and health personnel who work in these institutions, in recognition of their role and public service.
The country has about 9 million inhabitants, 95% of whom are Christian , with minorities of other religions and traditional cults.

VATICAN - Jubilee 2025: The Pontifical Missionary Union offers an online itinerary of prayer and reflection

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:43:12 +0200

Vatican City - "The prayer journey of Christ's missionary disciples" is the title of the itinerary of four online meetings in English on prayer, organized and promoted by the Pontifical Missionary Union in preparation for the Jubilee 2025. The first meeting will take place next Saturday, September 7, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. = , the same time as all the scheduled meetings.
In the context of the Year of Prayer, PMU offers this proposal for missionary formation, inspired by the invitation of Pope Francis. In his Message for this year's World Mission Day, the Holy Father said: "In this year devoted to prayer in preparation for the Jubilee of 2025, I wish to encourage all to deepen their commitment abo ve all to take part in the celebration of Mass and to pray for the Church’s mission of evangelization. In obedience to the Sa viour’s command, she does not cease to pray, at every Eucha ristic and liturgical celebration, the “Our Father”, with its peti tion, ‘Thy kingdom come’”.
On Saturday, September 7, the theme of the meeting will be "The way of praying of Jesus"; on Tuesday, September 17, it will be the turn of "Our Father – The Missionary Prayer"; on Saturday, September 28, it will be "The prayer of Christ's Missionary disciples"; while Tuesday, October 8, will be dedicated to "Eucharist - Source and summit of mission and prayer."
The initiative will be coordinated by Father Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFMConv, Secretary General of PMU, who will be assisted by Father Tadeusz J. Nowak, OMI, Secretary General of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
During the first meeting, Father Nguyen will introduce the topic, followed by Father Nowak's intervention.
Participation is free , but prior registration is appreciated to facilitate the organization. Those interested can send an email to the address: pum@ppoomm.va.

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EUROPE/ALBANIA - Father Agustin Margjoni CM, appointed first National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Albania

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:27:26 +0200

Vatican City - On July 31, 2024, Cardinal Luis Antonio G.Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization , appointed Father Agustin Margjoni National Director of the newly founded Pontifical Mission Societies for two years .
Born on April 30, 1988 in Konaj-Mirditë , Father Margjoni began his journey with the Vincentians at a young age and attended the Missionary School in Rreshen from September 2001. He began his philosophical and theological studies in Italy in 2007. He continued his formation at the Major Seminary of Teruel .
On September 21, 2012, he made his final vows in the Congregation for the Missions and on September 6, 2014, he was ordained a priest and immediately after his ordination he took over the direction of the school of his congregation in Shkoder.
He attended a course of study for formators in Italy . Since September 2020 he has been parish priest and superior of the Vincentians in Albania.

OCEANIA/PAPUA NEW GUINEA - Missionaries in Vanimo wait for the Pope: “In the jungle, people stop us and ask for the sacraments”

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 11:21:05 +0200

by Fabio Beretta

Vanimo - The blue ocean on one side, jungle and forests on the other. This is how the northern part of Papua New Guinea, the second stop on Pope Francis' long journey through Asia and Oceania, looks at first glance. Villages scattered between the beach and the highlands, without electricity, without water pipes, without supermarkets.

In Papua New Guinea, the second stop on his 45th Apostolic Journey, Pope Francis will also meet the missionaries of Vanimo, who have come from far away to continue the work of those who preceded them in proclaiming the Gospel in this peripheral area of the continent that takes its name from the ocean.

Dialogue and respect are key words here, explains Father Alejandro Diaz , an Argentine missionary of the Institute of the Incarnate Word , to Fides: "I came here a year ago to live in the first male monastery in Papua New Guinea. The monastery in the village of Wutung is already active."

"We live the contemplative life typical of monks, we dedicate ourselves to prayer and live from what we produce. But we are also missionaries and the garden is not only in the monastery. We have come into contact with various villages in the jungle and teach them how to cultivate the land, raise cows, geese or chickens," he says.

With regard to the Pope's visit, there is a lot to do, a lot to prepare: "Fortunately, many have accepted the Gospel and when they heard that the Pope was coming, everyone agreed to help us," says Father Diaz.

There is a bond of friendship between the Bishop of Rome and the community of missionaries working in northern Papua New Guinea. A bond that began years ago: "He has always supported us. Thanks to the help he sent us, we were able to build a boarding school for boys and find off-road vehicles to move through the jungle." With the Pope's support, "we were also able to buy a small bus that serves as a school bus for the villages."

"The Pope," says the missionary, "has been very insistent on coming here to Vanimo, a small town that is very poor. Here he will meet the local community and he will come to a nearby village, Baro, for a private visit to our school." There he will be welcomed with a concert prepared by the students, who have been practicing their instruments for weeks. "Pope Francis will bless 25 images of the patron saint of Argentina, Our Lady of Luján , since the Pope's arrival coincides with the 25th anniversary of the arrival of the statue of Our Lady of Luján in Papua New Guinea. "The images he will bless will later be donated to the chapels of the villages in the jungle."

For days, many people have been flocking to Baro and Vanimo, not only to hear and see the Successor of Peter, but above all to help set up the premises for the ceremony: "The other day we went deer hunting with a confrere. People also ask us for accommodation and come without anything because they have nothing. Many have come on foot, some without shoes. They have walked for days and are happy to help us prepare what is needed."

Father Diaz reports that relations between the missionaries and the population are “very good.” “They welcomed us well,” he affirms. “They are open to the encounter with Christ and to the Catholic faith as it is offered to them.” Everyone has participated in meetings, celebrations and Eucharistic adoration in recent days to prepare for the Pope’s arrival. “Even non-Catholics have done this. We live here in mutual respect,” says the missionary.

“Unlike in other parts of the world,” admits Father Diaz, “here everyone has a religious sense. A few days ago we had a night procession with the Bible. Many people participated, including non-Christians. And we prayed with a universal prayer that puts God at the center.” And this unity is also evident in the preparations for the Pope's visit: "Even the leaders of other religions have asked us for permission to participate because they understand that it is an important event."

"Faith is strong here. I was in the jungle," Father Diaz continues, "and it is beautiful to see that in the small streets you find people who, with a simple heart, ask you to stop and say Mass and give Communion. They tell us: 'We need confession.' They have great respect for the priest and the Eucharist, especially the children. The churches here are full of young people and children. And that is exactly what the Pope will find: a young Church thirsting for the word of God."

"Their joy," the missionary underlines, "lies in faith. It is their wealth and their precious possession, and that alone is enough for them. We can only accompany them and help them on their journey of faith."

The missionaries have chosen an approach that trusts in the times, without coming into conflict with local customs and traditions. "We are not eradicating local cultures. There is a lot of magic, superstition, witchcraft... but customs and traditions are important. We are gradually clarifying all the elements and people are increasingly understanding and accepting the Catholic faith."

Of course, there are also difficulties: "Some tribal leaders do not accept these teachings. They think," says Father Diaz, "that we want to rob them or that they do not want to give up the worship of spirits or natural elements. Our task is to explain to them well that we want to help them and share with them things that are good for their lives." And the Pope's visit "is like a caress for us missionaries. We feel encouraged to continue on this path."

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY - Pope Francis in Indonesia: excerpts from the homily during the Holy Mass at Jakarta Stadium

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:56:07 +0200

Jakarta - The first stage of Pope Francis' long Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania ended with a Mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. At 4:00 p.m. local time , the Pope left the Apostolic Nunciature and went to the sports complex in the heart of the Indonesian capital.
Amidst thunderous applause, he drove around the Popemobile and blessed babies and children. Pope Francis presided over the Eucharist dedicated to the memory of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Before the final blessing, the Pope addressed a final greeting and a few words of thanks to the faithful and pilgrims present. He then returned by car to the Apostolic Nunciature. Tomorrow he will leave Indonesia for Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea. Here are the main passages of his homily:

The encounter with Jesus calls us to live two fundamental attitudes: listening to the Word and living the Word. First, listening, because everything comes from listening, from opening ourselves to him, from accepting the precious gift of his friendship. But then it is important to live the Word received. The Word that is given to us and that we hear demands to become life, to transform life, to become concrete in our lives.

The human heart is always searching for a truth that can nourish and satisfy its desire for happiness. Surrounded by numbing and fleeting human words, brothers and sisters, we need the Word of God. The Word of God, the only one that is a compass for our journey, the only one that can lead us back to the true meaning of life in the midst of so many wounds and confusion.

The first task of the disciple is not to put on the garment of outwardly perfect religiosity, to do extraordinary things or to perform great exploits. No, the first task, the first step, is rather to listen, to listen to the only word that saves.

We too are asked, with the same humility and faith of Peter, not to remain prisoners of our failures - because that is something very bad when we allow ourselves to be taken over by failures and become their prisoners. So please, let us not remain prisoners of our failures. This, brothers and sisters, is what I would like to say to you too, to this nation, to this wonderful and diverse archipelago: do not tire of dreaming and building a civilization of peace! Always dare to dream the dream of fraternity.

AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - Appointment of bishop of Kaga-Bandoro

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:12:15 +0200

Vatican City - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Victor Hugo Castillo Matarrita, M.C.C.J., until now provincial of the Comboni Missionaries in Central Africa, as bishop of Kaga-Bandoro, Central African Republic.
Msgr. Victor Hugo Castillo Matarrita, M.C.C.J., was born on 19 March 1963 in Mansión, in the diocese of Tiarán in Costa Rica. He entered the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, and gave his religious vows on 27 September 1991 in Paris, where he also carried out his philosophical and theological studies.
He was ordained a priest on 8 August 1992 in Costa Rica.
He has held the following offices: missionary in Central Africa and parish priest in Grimari , formator and local superior in the Postulate of the Comboni Missionaries in Bangui , provincial delegate and president of the Conference of Major Superiors in Central Africa , formator of postulants in San José and counsellor of the Central American delegation , provincial superior for Central America and chargé for Comboni student priests in Rome . Since 1 January 2023 he has served as provincial superior of the Comboni Missionaries in Central Africa.

ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Preparation for WYD on the theme of artificial intelligence and ethics

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 13:41:20 +0200

Seoul - Artificial intelligence and ethics are a topic of discussion for young Catholics preparing for World Youth Day, which will take place in Korea in 2027.
In the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, an appeal "for an ethical artificial intelligence" was launched by Father Paolo Benanti, who, at the invitation of the local Church, opened the path of preparation for the international youth meeting. The theologian and ethicist spoke to 800 young people in the cathedral and gave a talk on the theme "Artificial intelligence and its ethical implications".
The talk marked the start of a series of events organized by the Communications Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul in collaboration with the Local Organizing Committee of World Youth Day Seoul 2027. The series of meetings, seminars and catechisms aims to involve young people in the discussion on current issues.
Father Benanti stressed the importance of exploring ethical dimensions in modern technology and examined the ethical complexity of artificial intelligence.
The Franciscan priest led the audience to consider the dual nature of technology by reflecting on the historical context in which tools could become weapons. “We must change our perspective on the ethics of technology and see it as a form of power. Any use of AI implies a moral choice.” Using historical examples to illustrate the impact of technology on society, Father Benanti conveyed a message that holds everyone accountable: the great challenges of technology concern not only engineers or computer scientists, but society as a whole and require careful reflection on the value of human life and the ethics of the future. “We should strive for development, innovation that serves the common good,” he said. Finally, during the panel discussion, Father Benanti also addressed the concerns of the young Korean participants, advising them: “Do not be intimidated by technology. As Pope Benedict XVI said, technology is a form of power. As the Pope teaches in 'Caritas in Veritate', technology reveals humanity's aspiration for development and our inner urge to overcome material limitations. If used wisely, it can bring us closer to contemplation and adoration of the Lord." Stressing the importance of discernment, Father Benanti encouraged young people to "critically evaluate the role of technology in their daily lives and its wider social impacts." He proposed a thoughtful approach to technological advances, focused on improving human dignity and the well-being of society, especially for the benefit of the young generation.

AMERICA/UNITED STATES - Father Roger J. Landry appointed National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 13:35:48 +0200

Vatican City - On July 23, 2024 Cardinal Luis Antonio G.Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization , appointed Father Roger J. Landry National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States for a five-year term.
Father Landry, 54, of the diocese of Fall River , was ordained a priest on June 26, 1999. He is currently a chaplain at Columbia University in New York City and at the Thomas Merton Institute for Catholic Life. He is also spiritual director of Aid to the Church in Need USA and was appointed Permanent Missionary of Mercy by Pope Francis after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015.
Among other things, he is chaplain of the New York chapter of the Leonine Forum, council member of the Shrine of Our Lady of the Martyrs in Auriesville , and Eucharistic preacher for the National Eucharistic Revival of the United States Conference of Bishops.
He recently accompanied the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton National Eucharistic Pilgrimage as chaplain in preparation for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress .
He is a graduate of Harvard College and was a student at the Pontifical North American College in Rome . He was ssigned to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations in New York , parish priest, high school chaplain in the Diocese of Fall River, and managing editor of a diocesan newspaper. He writes for several websites and blogs and is the author of “Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God” .

AFRICA/GAMBIA - The presence of missionary pioneers: "The charism of Don Bosco in a new context"

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 13:28:51 +0200

Kunkujang – The parish of Kunkujang, run by the Salesians, includes 25 villages and 13 Catholic communities.

Having arrived in the country just six years ago, in October 2018, at the invitation of the local bishop, the pioneer community, consists of four priests from four different countries and lives in Kunkujang, a Gambian village with a Christian majority.

The Salesians are also chaplains of the 5 Catholic schools and 7 nursery schools of the parish. A few years ago they also opened the "Don Bosco Youth Center". "An absolute novelty for the local Church in Gambia," says the statement from the Salesians sent to Fides.

Gambia is the smallest country on the African continent. Its area of 11,300 square kilometers is surrounded on all sides by Senegal, except for the western part, which borders the Atlantic Ocean. The country's economy is based on agriculture, fishing and, above all, tourism. Of the total population of 2,769,075 inhabitants, 96.4% are Muslims, 3.5% Christians and 0.1% followers of traditional religions.

The General Councilor for Salesian Missions, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, congratulated the community during a visit because "a new missionary presence revives the vitality of the beginnings of our charism. A new presence is important because it awakens new enthusiasm among the confreres. Likewise, missionary pioneers have the unique privilege of rooting the charism of Don Bosco in a new context".

ASIA/INDONESIA - The history of Catholic Missions in the Indonesian Archipelago

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 12:28:27 +0200

Jakarta - In the history of the mission of the Catholic Church in Indonesia, for two centuries there was no Catholic priest or missionary on the thousands of islands of the archipelago, where Portuguese missionaries had already arrived at the beginning of the 16th century. Among them was Saint Francis Xavier, who brought the Gospel to the Moluccas in 1546.
The 200-year absence of Catholic missionaries was due to hostilities and disputes between the Christian communities in Europe, which also affected the colonies. This is documented by Father Armada Riyanto in his essay entitled "The Catholic Mission in Indonesia and Propaganda Fide. A Historical Overview" .

With the arrival of the Dutch East India Company , founded in 1602, all Catholic priests were expelled from Indonesia, some even killed. The remaining Catholics, according to Father Armada Riyanto, rector of the ‘Widya Sasana’ School of Philosophy and Theology in Malang in his essay, were registered as Calvinist Christians, and the existing Catholic churches were closed or converted into Calvinist Protestant churches. The Catholic parishes in the Moluccas were dissolved, and for example the thriving Catholic parish in Ambon was converted into a Protestant parish.
On islands like Flores, the baptized Catholics continued to pray and live in their faith received from the Portuguese missionaries for 200 years, despite having no Catholic priest. The Jakarta Cathedral History Museum calls this an ‘underground church’ that lasted for 200 years. "This only happened because of a miracle of the Holy Spirit," said Father Armada Riyanto. The Dutch VOC was not just a trading association. For two centuries it was a political instrument and also waged "religious wars" in the colonies, as was the case in Europe. It was not until the end of the 17th century that it failed due to corruption and was dissolved.

The intervention of Propaganda Fide
A royal edict of 1807 established that the provisions in force in the Union of Utrecht since January 20, 1579, which recognized Calvinism as the only legitimate faith, were no longer valid. This also applied in the Dutch East Indies. In the same year, 1807, the "Sacred Congregation of Propaganda Fide" established the first "Apostolic Prefecture" in Indonesia, with the first Apostolic Prefect J. Nelissen. In 1841, the Apostolic Prefecture of Batavia was established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Batavia. Before 1600, only Portuguese or Spanish Catholic missionaries were active, but after 1800 Catholic missionaries came from the Netherlands and also from other Countries.
The Dutch missionaries who came to the East Indies after 1800, however, were "bound" to colonial regulations and remained subject to the political authorities of the colonial government, which financially supported the missionaries' expenses and activities.

The Groof Case
With the so-called "Groof Case" of 1845, missionary work was decoupled from colonial strategies. Bishop Jakobus Grooff was the first Apostolic Vicar of Batavia . J.J. Rochussen was the Governor-General who represented the political power of the Dutch government in Indonesia .
When he arrived in Batavia on April 1, 1845, he immediately noticed the "irregularities" committed by some priests in the vicariate and that same year he suspended four priests. When Rochussen learned of the "suspension" of the Catholic priests, he ruled that the bishop could not suspend priests who had received a letter of credential from the colonial authority, since their actions were guaranteed by the government.
According to Rochussen, only the government could "dismiss" or transfer Catholic priests, since they were sent to the Dutch East Indies by the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands at the expense of the State.

When he was summoned by the governor on January 19, 1846, Bishop Grooff again asserted his authority over the priests in the area. He was then ordered to leave the Dutch East Indies within 14 days. In the following years, Propaganda Fide contacted the Dutch authorities to enable the work of the Catholic mission in Indonesia to be made possible again: in 1854 it was agreed that a “special permit” for the clergy would be required; the Holy See undertook to inform the Governor General of the places where priests and missionaries were sent and the Governor-General would not interfere in matters reserved for ecclesiastical authority. The Catholic missionaries had limited freedom of movement, also to avoid conflict with other Protestant missionaries. They were also prohibited from baptizing the locals and under these conditions the number of baptized grew very slowly. In Surabaya, for example, after almost a hundred years of missionary presence , there were only ten Javanese Catholics.

The Jesuits
The priests sent were mostly diocesan priests, until one day the then Apostolic Vicar of Batavia, Petrus Vranken, asked the Jesuit Provincial to take over the mission in the Dutch East Indies. The first Jesuits arrived in Surabaya in 1859. In Central Java, the Catholic mission received a decisive boost through the missionary work of Father Franciscus Georgius Josephus van Lith , a Jesuit who founded several schools and was the first to preach the Gospel to the natives of Java and is remembered as a great educator. In 1904, Father van Lith baptized a total of 158 Javanese. His schools became a symbol of the missionary work of the Catholic Church. These schools were also attended by Albertus Soegijapranata , who would later become the first native bishop of Indonesia.
In the following years, the movement to fight for independence was also closely linked to the work of the Catholic educational mission. Several leaders of the nationalist movement came from Catholic schools.

In 1924, the Apostolic Vicars of Indonesia and the Apostolic Prefects met for the first time to discuss the situation of the Church in the area. The meeting was held in the Cathedral of Batavia and marked the beginning of the assembly of the future "Indonesian Bishops' Conference". Among the issues discussed was the abolition of Article 123 of the Regulations of 1854, which prevented missionaries from going anywhere they wanted to preach the Gospel. Seminaries were established for the training of local clergy, and the missionaries established many schools in villages and towns. It was said that Catholic missionaries should learn the language and become familiar with the local culture.
By establishing their schools, the missionaries came into contact with the local communities. Village chiefs or local religious leaders helped them establish and run community schools. The missionaries became familiar with Javanese culture. Thus, the Catholic missions became more and more "Javanese" and less "European".

During the Japanese occupation during World War II, this process slowed down. The missionaries were held in concentration camps. In several areas, the lands of the vicariate were occupied and many chapels were demolished. After the end of the war, the mission resumed by starting to rebuild what had been wiped out and destroyed in the previous years.

The Papal Bull "Quod Christus" 1961 was the year in which the Catholic Church in Indonesia finally became the "Indonesian Church", thanks to the Bull "Quod Christus Adorandus" of Pope John XXIII, which established the Catholic hierarchy and elevated the ecclesiastical districts in Indonesia to dioceses. Courses for higher education in pastoral disciplines and catechesis for lay people have been set up, and institutes for philosophical and theological formation were founded in Java, Flores, Sumatra, Timor and other islands.
The Indonesian Church is still a "young Church". Since the 1960s, it has developed in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. Catholics are integrated into the cultures of Indonesia and are now recognized as an integral part of the country.

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY - Pope Francis in Indonesia: excerpts from the speech in the mosque

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 12:03:40 +0200

Jakarta - "In the face of today’s many challenges, we respond with the sign of fraternity." The third and final day of Pope Francis' stay in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and the first stop on his Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, was dedicated to interreligious dialogue and spirituality. In the morning, the Pope visited "Istiqlal" mosque, where he was received by the Grand Imam, Nasaruddin Umar.

Together they visited the "Tunnel of Friendship" that connects the cathedral to the mosque . "I am grateful to those who work with the conviction that we can live in harmony and peace, and are aware of the need for a more fraternal world," said the Bishop of Rome in front of the tunnel. The Pope and the Imam then went to the large tent where the interreligious meeting is taking place.

After a traditional Muslim welcome dance, a short singing of a passage from the Koran, the reading of the parable of the Good Samaritan from the Gospel of Luke and the greeting by the Imam, the Pope gave his speech. This was followed by the signing of the "Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024". Here are the most important passages from the Pope's speech:

I am happy to be here, in the largest Mosque in Asia, together with all of you.

This Mosque was designed by the architect Friedrich Silaban, a Christian who won the design competition. This testifies to the fact that throughout the history of this nation and in the very fabric of its culture, the Mosque, like other places of worship, are spaces of dialogue, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence between religions and different spiritual sensibilities. This is a great gift that you are called to cultivate every day, so that religious experiences may be reference points for a fraternal and peaceful society and never reasons for close-mindedness or confrontation

In this regard, mention should be made of the underground tunnel, the “tunnel of friendship”, connecting the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. This is an eloquent sign, allowing these two great places of worship not only to be “in front” of each other, but also “connected” to each other.

I encourage you to continue along this path so that all of us, together, each cultivating his or her own spirituality and practicing his or her religion, may walk in search of God and contribute to building open societies, founded on reciprocal respect and mutual love, capable of protecting against rigidity, fundamentalism and extremism, which are always dangerous and never justifiable.

Bearing in mind all that has been said, which is symbolized by the tunnel, I would like to leave you with two suggestions to encourage you on the path of unity and harmony that you have already embarked upon.

The first is always look deeply, because only in this way can we find what unites despite our differences.

By looking deeply, grasping what flows in the depths of our lives, the desire for fullness that dwells in the depths of our hearts, we discover that we are all brothers and sisters, all pilgrims, all on our way to God, beyond what differentiates us.

The second suggestion is to preserve the bonds between you. The tunnel was built in order to create a link between two different and distant places.

Sometimes we think that a meeting between religions is a matter of seeking common ground between different religious doctrines and beliefs no matter the cost. Such an approach, however, may end up dividing us, because the doctrines and dogmas of each religious experience are different. What really brings us closer is creating a connection in the midst of diversity, cultivating bonds of friendship, care and reciprocity.

They are also bonds that allow us to work together, to move forward together in pursuit of the same goals: defence of human dignity, the fight against poverty and the promotion of peace.

“Fostering religious harmony for the sake of humanity” is the path that we are called to follow. It is also the title to the joint declaration prepared for this occasion. By adhering to it, we take on the responsibility to address the serious and sometimes dramatic crises that threaten the future of humanity such as wars and conflicts, which are unfortunately caused at times by the manipulation of religion, and the environmental crisis, which is an obstacle to the growth and coexistence of peoples. And in the face of these crises, it is important that the values common to all religious traditions be effectively promoted in order to help society “defeat the culture of violence and indifference” and promote reconciliation and peace.

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY - Pope Francis in Indonesia: excerpts from the address to bishops, priests, religious and catechists

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:27:01 +0200

Jakarta - "Faith, fraternity, compassion". These three words, which are the motto of this Apostolic Visit, are the focus of Pope Francis' entire speech in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Jakarta, where he met with bishops, priests, deacons, religious, seminarians and Indonesian catechists.

When he arrived at the Cathedral, the Pope was greeted by a cheering crowd. Many approached him hoping to shake his hand. Some managed to take a selfie. One by one, Francis greeted the children who were waiting for him in the churchyard, waving the flags of the Vatican and Indonesia.

Francis then entered the Cathedral together with the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, the President of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunyamin , and the parish priest. The Pope kissed the cross and sprinkled holy water on those present. He then walked down the nave among the crowd and gave his handshake with a smile.

After the greetings, songs and testimonies of a priest, a nun and two catechists, the Pope took the floor and added a praise for the catechists in an impromptu speech before the official address: "The catechists carry the Church forward. They are the ones who move forward first, followed by the nuns, then the priests and the bishop. But, the catechists are at the front, they are the driving force of the Church. On one of my trips to Africa, the President of a country told me that he had been baptized by his father who was a catechist. Faith is transmitted at home and in dialect. The catechists, together with the mothers and grandmothers, pass on the faith." The following are the most important passages from the speech that was given immediately afterwards:

As mentioned, the motto chosen for this Apostolic Visit is "Faith, Fraternity, Compassion". I think these are three virtues that express well both your journey as a Church and your character as a people, who are ethnically and culturally diverse. At the same time, you are characterized by an innate striving for unity and peaceful coexistence, as witnessed by the traditional principles of the Pancasila. I would now like to reflect with you on these three words.

The first is faith. Indonesia is a large country, with many natural riches. Such great wealth can be a reminder of God, of his presence in the cosmos and in our lives, as Sacred Scripture teaches us.

Indeed, it is the Lord who gives all this. There is not an inch of the marvelous Indonesian territory, nor a moment in the lives of its millions of inhabitants that is not a gift from God, a sign of his gratuitous and everlasting love as Father. Looking at all we have been given with the humble eyes of children helps us to believe, to recognize ourselves as small and beloved, and to cultivate feelings of gratitude and responsibility.

After faith, the second word in the motto is fraternity. A twentieth-century poet used a very beautiful expression to describe this attitude. She wrote that being brothers and sisters means loving each other by recognizing each other “as different as two drops of water”. How beautiful! That expression captures it perfectly. No two drops of water are alike, nor are two brothers or sisters, not even twins are completely identical. Living out fraternity, then, means welcoming each other, recognizing each other as equal in diversity.

This, too, is a value dear to the Indonesian Church and is made manifest through the openness with which you address the various internal and external realities encountered on a cultural, ethnic, social and religious level. In particular, your local Church values the contribution of all and generously offers assistance in every setting.

Proclaiming the Gospel does not mean imposing our faith, placing it in opposition to that of others, it means giving and sharing the joy of encountering Christ, always with great respect and fraternal affection for everyone.

Compassion does not consist in giving alms to needy brothers and sisters, looking down on them from our own security and success. On the contrary, compassion consists in drawing close to one another, removing everything that can prevent us from stooping down to touch those on the ground and thus giving them hope. This does not mean being a communist, rather it means charity, it means love.

There are people who are afraid of compassion because they consider it a weakness. Holding onto riches as security is an incorrect way of looking at reality. What keeps the world going is not the calculations of self-interest, which generally end up destroying creation and dividing communities, but offering charity to others. Compassion does not cloud the true vision of life. On the contrary, it makes us see things better, in the light of love.

I encourage you to continue your mission by being strong in faith, open to all in fraternity and close to one another in compassion. I am so struck by that parable in the Gospel, when the wedding guests did not want to come, what did the Lord do? Did he become bitter? No, he sent his servants and told them to go to the crossroads of the streets and to bring everyone inside.
That is very beautiful.

AFRICA/SENEGAL - Religious tolerance characterizes peaceful Islamic-Christian relations

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:47:52 +0200

Dakar - The diversity of different peoples and cultures, which has led to a mixture of ethnic groups and families, has characterized the history of Senegal from the beginning.

The Country is today an example of peaceful coexistence between the different religious communities and respect for others, according to a statement from the Salesian missionaries on the recently concluded visit of the General Councilor for the Missions, Fr. Alfred Maravilla, SVB to Senegal. A total of 97.2% of the population professes Islam, 6% follow traditional tribal religions. The proportion of Christians in the total population is 2%. Ninety-five percent of Muslims belong to Sufi orders, which consider peace and tolerance to be important values.

"The relations between Christian and Muslim religious authorities are also characterized by respect and friendship," underlines the religious, born in the Philippines and who worked for a long time as a missionary in Papua New Guinea, in his letter. The openness to welcoming Muslim students in Catholic schools since the arrival of the first missionaries, as well as the advocacy of an attitude of religious tolerance, may have been the foundations of these peaceful Islamic-Christian relations.

During the meeting with the local Salesians, Father Maravilla encouraged them to "increase the activities and initiatives that promote a dynamic coexistence between Muslims and Christians in our environment." Over the years, the Salesian institutions, be they schools, training centers or oratories, have become places where Christians and Muslims meet in friendship and learn to respect each other's faith and religious sentiments.

AFRICA/DR CONGO - Rebellion or attempted escape: at least 129 dead in the overcrowded prison in Makala

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:24:35 +0200

Kinshasa - The Makala central prison in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo , has been described as a "time bomb", where at least 129 prisoners were killed during an escape attempt on the night of September 1-2. "The provisional death toll is 129, of whom 24 died from gunshots after warning shots were fired," confirms Congolese Interior Minister Jacquemain Shabani in a video. "The rest were trampled to death or suffocated while trying to escape, while some women were raped," added Shabani, who also reported 59 wounded who "were rescued by the authorities to provide them with appropriate care." Part of the prison buildings, including the infirmary, were set on fire. The question arises whether this is a mass escape or an internal revolt against the appalling conditions in which prisoners are forced to live.
Makala houses ten times the planned capacity of prisoners. In fact, 15,000 prisoners are held there, although the prison was built for 1,500 inmates. Of these 15,000, only about 3,000 are serving their final sentence, the others are awaiting trial. Among them are journalists and opponents of the incumbent President Félix Tshisekedi.
The largest prison in the country is not only overcrowded, but also suffers from catastrophic hygienic conditions, dilapidated infrastructure, insecurity and promiscuity among inmates, lack of respect for basic human rights and poor and low quality nutrition. The internal security of the prison is ensured by the prisoners themselves, the State only controls the outer wall of the prison to prevent escapes or attacks from outside. In each pavilion there are "governments" run by the prisoners, where the law of the strongest prevails. The prison had already suffered significant damage in an attack by armed men in 2017, in which more than 4,000 prisoners escaped, an attack that was never solved by the Congolese authorities.

APOSTOLIC JOURNEY - Pope in Indonesia: excerpts from the address to the civil authorities and the Diplomatic Corps

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:44:13 +0200

Jakarta - The Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to Asia and Oceania is now in full swing. After a "rest day" at the Nunciature, the Pope celebrated a private Mass this morning. He then drove to the Presidential Palace "Istana Merdeka" to take part in the welcoming ceremony in Indonesia and to pay a courtesy visit to the Head of State.

The Pope was greeted by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo, while a group of children performed a welcoming dance. After the guard of honor, the playing of the anthems and the raising of the flags, the presentation of the respective delegations followed. At the end, the President and the Pope went to the Credential Hall to sign the guest book and take an official photo.

"Amid the beauty of this land, which is a place of encounter and dialogue between different cultures and religions, I wish the Indonesian people to grow in faith, fraternity and compassion. God bless Indonesia," were the words with which the Bishop of Rome signed the guest book.

The private meeting between Pope Francis and the President followed. After the bilateral meeting with representatives of the government, civil society and the diplomatic corps, the Pope delivered the first of the four speeches that the Holy Father will give in Jakarta. A speech that focused on the theme of interreligious dialogue as an antidote to extremism and religious intolerance. Here are the most important passages:

Just as the ocean is the natural element that connects all the Indonesian islands, one could almost say that mutual respect for the specific cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious characteristics of all the population groups that make up Indonesia is the connective tissue that unites and makes the Indonesian people proud.

This wise and delicate balance between the diversity of cultures and different beliefs on the one hand, and the principle that consolidates unity on the other, must be constantly defended against any imbalance. This is a craft work, I stress: a craft that is entrusted to everyone, and in particular to political action.

In order to promote peaceful and constructive harmony that guarantees peace and joins forces to overcome the imbalances and hotspots of misery that still exist in some areas of the country, the Catholic Church wishes to strengthen interreligious dialogue.

In this way, prejudices can be broken down and a climate of mutual respect and trust can be created, which is essential for facing common challenges. This also includes combating extremism and intolerance, which, by distorting religion, try to impose themselves through deception and violence.

The Catholic Church puts itself at the service of the common good and seeks to strengthen cooperation with public institutions and other actors in civil society, but it never engages in proselytism. Never. It respects the faith of each person. And so it encourages the creation of a more balanced social fabric in order to achieve a more efficient and fairer distribution of social support.

In other contexts, however, it is believed that it can or should refrain from seeking God's blessing because it is considered superfluous for man and civil society. On the contrary, there are cases in which faith in God is constantly put at the forefront, but unfortunately this is often done in order to manipulate it, to promote divisions and to increase hatred.

In the face of these shadows, it is gratifying to see how the philosophy that inspires the organization of the Indonesian State expresses wisdom and balance. I hope that everyone will be inspired by these principles in their daily actions and will make them effective in the daily performance of their respective tasks, because opus justitiae pax, peace is the fruit of justice.

ASIA/CHINA - The story of Paolo Dongdong: from an orphanage of Chinese nuns to the Paris Paralympic Games

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:30:55 +0200

Ningjinxian - From an orphanage of Catholic nuns in the Chinese province of Hebei to the Paris Paralympic Games. This is the surprising story of Dongdong Paolo Camanni, a young Paralympic judo athlete who represents Italy at the Paris 2024 Games.

Sister Wang Qingfen is a nun of the Congregation of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, in the diocese of Zhaoxian , Hebei province, mainland China. Twenty years ago, she and the sisters of the House of Dawn took in their arms a two-year-old boy who suffered from bilateral retinoblastoma and was abandoned on the street. Twenty years later, the sisters of the House of Dawn have also expressed their best wishes on social media to “their” Dongdong, who was leaving Italy to take part in the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Dongdong is the name that the nuns gave 20 years ago to the child they had rescued. Thanks to them and to the knowledge of an Italian journalist, Dongdong later met his adoptive family in Italy. In this country, he began a journey that led him to become a young Paralympic judo champion, winner of gold medals at the EPYG and a world bronze medal in 2022 in Baku.

Dongdong is one of more than six hundred abandoned disabled children who found affection, a home and a good life thanks to the vigilant charity of the sisters of the Congregation of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus and their work in the field of assistance to the weak and sick. The House of Dawn children's home, run by nuns, was founded by Ramon Wang Chonglin, bishop of the Zhaoxian diocese , in the late 1980s. At that time, disabled children were often found abandoned at railway stations or near hospitals. Bishop Wang bought a house, called the Sisters of St. Teresa and asked them if they would be mothers to these children, helping them to escape their unfortunate condition. Among the 600 children they took in, 40% suffered from polio. With tenacious work, the sisters have helped them to live, to know Jesus, to study, to work, to start a family.

Today, The House of Dawn is divided into three parts: the Care Center , the Rehabilitation Station and the Functional Rehabilitation Center . For 38 years, the sisters have dedicated their best youth to healing the wounds, both physical and internal, of disabled children and young people. To raise the funds needed to continue their work, the sisters invent original initiatives with great creativity .

To journalists who once asked her about her life and the life of the House of Dawn, Sister Wang Qingfen replied: “We feel honored that the Lord has given us this gift, to our Congregation and to each one of us... This place has seen so many miracles happen for the love of the Lord, which have benefited the whole society and so many people of good will.”

AFRICA/BURKINA FASO - JNIM jihadists attack local self-defense groups

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 14:01:04 +0200

Ouagadougou - Jihadist groups continue to spread fear and terror in Burkina Faso. After the massacre in the village of Barsalogho on August 24, in which at least 200 people died, on August 30 an attack on a self-defense group of "volunteers in defense of the fatherland" in Barga, in the north of the country, left at least 13 people dead.
On the same day, armed men carried out an attack in Yondé, in the central-eastern region, in which about ten people died. Finally, on August 31, significant material damage was reported in an attack on a base of the defense and security forces in the village of Bam, in the north-central region.
In both cases, local self-defense groups were the target of the jihadists. In Barsalogho , JNIM jihadists struck while the population was digging defensive trenches at the behest of the army. Some reports say 200 people were killed, but surviving residents reported at least 400 casualties. According to survivors, a military command forced the villagers to dig the trench "against their will," leaving them vulnerable to retaliation from JNIM jihadists. JNIM jihadists have claimed responsibility for the massacre in a video showing the bodies of the civilian victims with only digging tools next to them, but no weapons.
The civilians were allegedly forcibly recruited by the army and sent to dig defensive trenches several kilometers from their village, without any military protection. The attack lasted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. After first murdering the men digging the trenches, the jihadists overran the village, killing women, children and the elderly.
After the Angelus on Sunday 1 September, Pope Francis expressed his sadness over the terrorist attack in Barsalogho: "I have learned with sorrow that on Saturday 24 August, in the municipality of Barsalogho, in Burkina Faso, hundreds of people, including women and children, were killed and many others injured in a terrorist attack,," Francis said after his midday prayer. "In condemning these heinous attacks against human life, I express my closeness to the nation as a whole, and my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. May the Virgin Mary help the beloved people of Burkina Faso to regain peace and security."
The Al-Qaeda-affiliated JNIM is on the rise throughout the Sahel region. It is active not only in Burkina Faso, but also in Niger and Mali, and is expanding into the border areas of Benin, Togo and Ghana. In the latter country, border guards have been alerted to possible jihadist attacks in the border areas with Burkina Faso.
In addition to the government troops of the countries involved, the JNIM also faces the other main jihadist group operating in the region, the Islamic State's Sahel affiliate.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are countries where military juntas have recently come to power through coups, which, after ousting Western contingents, receive military aid from Russia and Turkey. In a message posted on social media in mid-August by Othman al-Ansari, considered the number two in the JNIM, the jihadist group called on the Muslim populations of the three countries to overcome ethnic and tribal divisions and unite in a jihad against the military juntas and their Russian and Turkish allies, naming the private military companies "Wagner" and "Sadat" .

Pope Francis’s trip to ‘Southeast Asia’ and the mission of the Church today

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:50:48 +0200

by Gianni Valente

Rome - With the arrival in Jakarta of the flight that took off from Rome, Pope Francis' 45th international apostolic journey has begun. The Bishop of Rome, at almost 88 years of age, is making his longest journey to visit the Churches and peoples of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. He is moving along routes that take him far from the places of war and power struggles that the attention of the global media system focuses on.

"Reality is better seen from the periphery than from the center," Pope Francis once explained in an interview with a parish newspaper from Villa la Càrcova, a slum in the Greater Buenos Aires area. "Normally," Bergoglio added on that occasion, "we move in spaces that we control in one way or another. This is the center. As we leave the center and move away from it, we discover new things". A suggestion that can also be found in the studies of the Argentine philosopher Amelia Podetti , whom Pope Bergoglio met in his youth. She too used to repeat in her lectures that Europe was "seen" differently after Ferdinand Magellan's circumnavigation of the world. From Madrid, the world was seen differently than from Tierra del Fuego: the view was wider and one could see things that remained hidden to those who looked at everything from the "center".

Pope Francis' trip to Asia and Oceania can also help to grasp important details for the path of the Church and current world events. Details that are often not captured or obscured in the prevailing media representation of the present.

In many parts of Asia, due to the prevailing conditions, Christian communities are experiencing a dynamic that in some respects comes close to that of the beginnings of Christianity. A perspective that must also be considered at this historical moment in the countries of old "Christianity", where growing majorities, especially among young people, no longer have any real interest in or living, existential contact with Christianity.

Most Christian communities in Asia live in "plural" contexts, culturally marked by great religious traditions such as Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism. In particular, the example of Indonesia, with its fundamentally harmonious coexistence with the Muslim majority, shows that, in their flourishing among peoples, Christian communities are finding ways not to become hostages to the logic of the "clash of civilizations".

In East Timor, the ecclesial communities have accompanied the troubled path of the history of this young nation. They have immersed themselves in this historical process. Throughout this period of trial, participation in ecclesial and sacramental life has grown, and there is now an urgent need to heal wounds and also to contribute to reconciliation with Indonesia. Believers profess their faith in the midst of the country's history. They shared the concerns and hopes of all.

In Papua New Guinea, as in so many countries in Asia and Oceania, the local Churches keep the grateful memory of many missionaries and martyrs. The local Catholic communities, encouraged also by the Magisterium of Pope Francis, are following the path of adaptation to their respective contexts and are gradually breaking down the prejudice that presents the relationship between Christianity and Asia as "cultural colonization".
The missionaries who will meet Pope Francis testify that mission, leaving one's own sphere to proclaim the love and salvation of Christ to all, are not outdated customs, but continue to be understood as a gift of grace that keeps the Church alive.

Christianity began in Asia and is not "returning" to Asia as a religion of the West. The communities of the baptized that the Pope encounters on his journey and who are rooted in this context are therefore not "foreign bodies".

This is particularly important in the current historical situation, in which everything is interpreted as opposition and "struggle" between the so-called West and everything that is not the West.

ASIA/INDONESIA - Indonesian Catholics: “Children of Saint Francis Xavier”

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:40:50 +0200

by Paolo Affatato

Denpasar - Many visitors and tourists in Bali, the Indonesian island popular with tourists from all over the world for its attractions, also stop at the Catholic church dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier in the Kuta area, not far from Denpasar airport. On the facade of the church, the statue of Christ and the statue of the patron saint of the missions who proclaimed the Gospel in Asia stand out. The community volunteers of the parish are very hospitable: they even stop traffic to allow the mostly foreign visitors to access Mass or to pray. In the church, the faithful like to pray the "Novena to Saint Francis Xavier", which takes place mainly in March and December.
Sunday masses are full of young people who talk about their admiration and affection for Saint Francis Xavier.
The same is true in the cathedral dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier in the Indonesian city of Ambon, in the Catholic diocese of Amboina, where a monument is also dedicated to the saint, inaugurated in 2014 to commemorate his arrival on this island. Located in the village of Great Hative, in Ambon Bay, the monument overlooks the sea where the Jesuit missionary landed on February 14, 1546. We are in the Moluccas, also known as the "Spice Islands", which in past centuries attracted Portuguese and Dutch settlers wishing to establish trade with Europe. It was here that Francis Xavier landed, preached the Gospel and baptized the first inhabitants of the islands of Ternate and Tindore, thus beginning the spread of Christianity in the Moluccas, which later became part of present-day Indonesia. In the Diocese of Amboina, there are still traces of Catholic communities that - in an area with a majority Protestant community - date back to the work of the saint: places such as Tual, Tanimbar, Kei and small islands in the Moluccas, 99% of which are inhabited by Catholics.
The initiative to erect a monument was supported by the Association of Indonesian Diocesan Priests , together with the local bishop, who say they "venerate Francis Xavier and see in him a model for the priest and evangelizer."
On the island of Java, which belongs to the Archdiocese of Jakarta, the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Tanjung Priok , built in 1970 and with space for 1,000 believers, is an important center of spirituality for many Catholics and a place where pilgrims come to entrust their prayer requests or to ask the Spanish saint for special graces.
Saint Francis Xavier is also a firm point of reference for religious communities. "We draw inspiration from our patron saint and model, Saint Francis Xavier," say the Xaverian missionaries from Yogyakarta in Central Java, who already bear the Spanish saint in their name and charism.
One of the many examples is the Brothers of Christian Education of Ploërmel , a male religious institute dedicated to education and Christian upbringing founded by the French theologian Jean-Marie Robert de La Mennais , which has named its "district" in Indonesia after Saint Francis Xavier and promotes the figure of the saint in its schools. "This is how one of the young men who entered the congregation in 2019 and took his religious vows on the island of Flores chose the name Franciscus Xaverius Gua Making," they recall.
The name Francis Xavier is the first name of many Indonesians and is also the name of many Catholic schools, parishes and institutes. It will also be the name of the new basilica and Jesuit college in Nusantara, the new capital of the Republic of Indonesia .
The Indonesian Jesuits make strong reference to the saint, recalling that after their confrere Francis Xavier and inspired by him, "other Spanish and Portuguese Jesuits followed his example and established missions in eastern Indonesia until the mid-16th century". In 1859, the Jesuit mission in Indonesia was resumed with the arrival of two Dutch priests, Martinus van den Elzen and Joannes Baptista Palinckx. Many Jesuit priests and brothers then came from the Netherlands and their mission laid the foundations of the current structure of the Catholic Church in Indonesia.
The Jesuit presence at that time had the legal status of the “Mission Java”, whose spiritual reference point was always Saint Francis Xavier. Important was the work of the Dutch missionary Father Franciscus Georgius Josephus van Lith , who was awarded the Order of Merit by the Indonesian Ministry of Education for his missionary and educational work in Central Java. The Jesuits founded the first Catholic school in Muntilan, which accepted students regardless of their religious, cultural or ethnic background. This school was also attended by Father Albertus Soegijapranata , who would later become the first bishop of Indonesia and is now considered one of Indonesia's national heroes, remembered by Javanese Catholics especially for his contribution during the Indonesian struggle for independence.
Today there are about 330 Jesuits in Indonesia working in parishes, schools, universities, social centers, publishing houses, magazines and spirituality centers. Thanks to the work of Indonesian priests and religious, as well as missionaries, Indonesian Catholics feel and define themselves as "children of St. Francis Xavier".
The devotion to the saint, which is widespread especially in the predominantly Catholic areas, is expressed in a special way on December 3, the feast day of Saint Francis Xavier, when various Catholic communities commemorate him with special masses, processions and prayers. The celebrations often reflect local culture and tradition, and include elements, customs, music and dances typical of the many different cultures that make up the cultural mosaic of Indonesia.