Jakarta
(AsiaNews) - Using words and phrases characteristic of Western and Catholic language,
the highest Islamic authority in the province of Yogyakarta - Indonesia - has
given his support to the Eucharistic Congress, held last week by the
Archdiocese of Semarang (Kas). A
significant event in the world's most populous Muslim country, often the scene
of attacks and incidents of persecution against religious minorities and
Christianity in particular. During
the three days of meetings, under the motto "Let Christ be among us, to
become his fruits," the Sultan Hamengku Buwono X - Governor of the Special
Autonomous Province of Yogyakarta - issued a personal message of support for
the public event, held outdoors and without incident in many parishes in the
area.
The
first Eucharist congress was held in Yogyakarta in July 1939, on the occasion
of the 25th anniversary of the founding of a Catholic foreign mission in the
Sultanate. Afterwards,
25 June 1940, the erection of the vicariate of Semarang was celebrated after
years of waiting. The
last congress on the Eucharist in the Archdiocese took place four years ago, at
the sanctuary of Our Lady of Gua Kerep, to Ambarawa.
The
three days of meetings (June 22 to 24), was attended by over 1,500 faithful from
all parishes and three bishops, including the apostolic nuncio. In
his message to the Catholics, the Muslim leader Hamengku Buwono X said that the
words "Congress" and "Eucharist" are derived from the greek
and latin, and he added that "it is time for unity between the movements
and congregations in the archdiocese, to help improve
"society. The
Sultan and political leadership of the province has also suggested that
"this conference on the Eucharist compels you to spread a culture of love
and dialogue."
Archbishop of Semarang. Johannes
Sj Pujasumarta reminded the faithful of the commitment of Catholics to
"strengthen civic education for the good of the nation and the
Church", under the banner of the Latin motto 'pro ecclesia et patria' and ' ad maiorem Dei Gloriam'. Recalling
the message of the Muslim leader, the prelate also suggested that such events
can "build a thriving spirit of humanity" and should help to present
"Christ to the world" through "the mystery of the Eucharist."