Religious Tolerance Improving

MEDIA INDONESIA 27/10 Page 12, -- Despite several cases relating to the freedom of religion, in general, religious tolerance in Indonesia experiences significant progress. The religious leaders are encouraged to continue to think positively in building togetherness for peace based on Pancasila.

It was conveyed by Hermawi Franziskus Taslim, the chairman of Alumni Communication Forum of Indonesian Catholic Students (Forkoma PMKRI), in front of hundreds of members of the Association of Indonesian Catholic churchmen in the Eternal City (Irrika), Rome, during a study in Italy, on Sunday (25/10).

Together with Taslim, AM Putut Prabantoro, chairman of the Movement Ekayastra Unmada (Spirit of the Nation) also spoke at Collegio St Petro, Rome.

Both became speakers at the request of Mgr Ignatius Suharyo, chairman of the Presidium of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (KWI), who had just attended the World Synod of Bishops together with Mgr Frans Kopong, chairman of the Commission of KWI in Vatican.

Religious life in Indonesia, said Taslim, who is also a National Democratic Party (NasDem) cadre, must be built in the spirit of equality and mutual respect.

Because the religious conflicts did not only always start from the issue of religion itself, but from other social issues. Therefore, Taslim asserted religious leaders must hold frequent meetings in the cultural and social context by building concrete actions.

Meanwhile, Putu Prabantoro asked Catholic churchmen to remain optimistic in building national unity through religion, culture, ethnicity, and customs.

Their presence in Rome is in order to meet the Vatican invitation by attending the International Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the Nostra Aetate document (In Our Time) issued on 28 October 1965.

The document contains the manifestation of an attitude of openness of the Catholic Church in building a relationship with Catholics and non-Christian religions.