Pope Francis yesterday kicked off his three-day visit to Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, with a call to fight extremism and to foster interreligious tolerance and social development. Source: Crux.
“Just as the ocean is the natural element uniting all Indonesian islands, mutual respect for the specific cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious characteristics of all the groups present in Indonesia is the indispensable and unifying fabric that makes Indonesians a united and proud people,” the Pope said in his speech to national authorities.
He spoke to civil leaders and the diplomatic corps after holding a private meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Istana Merkeda Presidential Palace, marking the first public engagement of his itinerary.
Despite an overall climate of tolerance, pockets of extremism exist in Indonesia, and there are concerns that fundamentalism is rising in some areas of the country.
Pope Francis pointed to the national motto of Indonesia, Bhinneka tunggal ika, meaning “many but one,” saying Indonesia is a “magnificent mosaic” in which each tile is valuable and irreplaceable.
“A harmony in diversity is achieved when particular perspectives take into account the needs common to all and when each ethnic group and religious denomination acts in a spirit of fraternity, pursuing the noble goal of serving the good of all,” he said.
To ensure a peaceful and harmonious coexistence and avoid “the imbalances and sufferings that still persist in some areas of the country,” the Catholic Church, he said, wants to increase interreligious dialogue.
By doing so, prejudices can be eliminated and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow,” he said.
“This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence,” he said, saying closeness fosters “brotherhood among nations.”
FULL STORY
Pope calls world’s largest Muslim nation to fight extremism, foster tolerance (By Elise Ann Allen, Crux)
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