In Jakarta, Pope calls for interfaith dialogue to counter extremism, intolerance
Pope Francis delivers his address as Indonesian President Joko Widodo listens during a meeting with Indonesian authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 04 September 2024. EFE/EPA/WILLY KURNIAWAN / POOL
4 September 2024
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Jakarta, Sep 4 (EFE).- Pope Francis called for inter-religious dialogue to counter extremism and intolerance during his speech Wednesday morning at the presidential palace in Jakarta, on the first day of the official agenda of his Southeast Asia tour.
pope arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday to begin the longest tour of his papacy : Fishing With The Reformer Pope
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Galatians 4 : 4, Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;2 Thessalonians 2 : 3
The pope arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday to begin the longest tour of his papacy, which will also take him to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore over 12 days.
“The Catholic Church desires to increase inter-religious dialogue. In this way, prejudices can be eliminated and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow,” he said in his first appointment at the Istana Merdeka Presidential Palace.
The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.
Proverbs 28 : 16
“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.”
Pope Francis delivers his address as Indonesian President Joko Widodo looks on during a meeting with Indonesian authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 04 September 2024. EFE/EPA/WILLY KURNIAWAN / POOL
He lamented that “in various regions we see the emergence of violent conflicts, which are often the result of a lack of mutual respect, of the intolerant desire to let one’s own interests, one’s own position, or one’s own partial historical narrative prevail at all costs, even when this leads to endless suffering for entire communities and results in wars and much bloodshed.”
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[1] After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. [2] And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
Esther 3 : 1-2
However, the pontiff began by praising Indonesia’s “mutual respect for the specific cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious characteristics of all the groups” because it “is the indispensable and unifying fabric that makes Indonesians a united and proud people.”
Catholics makes up around 3 percent of Indonesia’s 270 million people, but is still the third-largest Catholic population in Asia after the Philippines and China. Muslims make up around 87 percent of the country.
Together with outgoing President Joko Widodo, whom he met with Wednesday, Francis reiterated that “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.”
[3] Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? [4] Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
Esther 3 : 3-4
He added that this “wise and delicate balance, between the multiplicity of cultures and different ideological visions, and the ideals that cement unity, must be continuously defended against imbalances.”
Although, Francis also stressed that the Catholic Church desires to increase inter-religious dialogue “in order to promote a peaceful and fruitful harmony that ensures peace and unites efforts to remove the imbalances and suffering that still persist in some areas of the country.”
According to data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency (BPS), although decreasing, there are 25 million poor people in the country.
Pope Francis and Indonesian President Joko Widodo attend a meeting with Indonesian authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, 04 September 2024. EFE/EPA/WILLY KURNIAWAN / POOL
The Pope will attend an interfaith meeting on Thursday at Istiqlal mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia and connected to the nearby Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption by the “tunnel of friendship,” where he will sign a joint declaration on tolerance with the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar.
[10] And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. [11] And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. [12] And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
Luke 23 : 10-12
Francis considered that “there are times when faith in God is continually placed in the forefront, but is sadly manipulated to foment divisions and increase hatred instead of furthering peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation and fraternity.”
[47] Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived? [48] Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
John 7 : 47-48
He concluded by sending a message to the country’s political class, assuring that “harmony is achieved when we are committed not only to our own interests and vision, but to the good of all, to building bridges, fostering agreements and synergies, joining forces in order to defeat all forms of moral, economic and social distress, and promoting peace and concord.” EFE
[5] And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. [6] And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
Esther 3 : 5-6
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