Emiliana Saptaningsih

Over 150 young people from Malaysia, Cambodia and other Indonesian dioceses arrived in the island of Bali for the Asian Youth Day. Acclimatizing in witness of faith in an Islamic and multicultural majority.

The Mass saw the participation of the whole community. For Fr Herman Yoseph Babey, parish priest in Denpasar, “the life of our children is no longer for themselves, but it is ready to be shared and lived in the service of others.”

The coming edition will be held from 30 July to 6 August in Jogyakarta, archdiocese of Semarang. It will be an opportunity for young people to renew and deepen their faith in the context of multicultural Asia, and for the Indonesia Church to share its experience. One participant, Michael Irwanto Fame, is "convinced that this event will give us, the youth of Indonesia, strength and enthusiasm to face God's mission and bear witness to the Gospel”.

The meeting, which was held last Saturday in preparation for the seventh Asian Youth Day, included Mass and celebrations. Young Indonesians are enthusiastic and committed to bear witness among Muslims.

Protesters came from different parts of the country and the world. For organiser Didi Kurniawan, "We are gathered here as one family” because Ahok is victim of “a grave injustice”. People are motivated by a desire to defend Indonesia’s pluralism.

Become Catholics in Indonesia is a challenge. Yulianus Suroso: "At first many catechumens are isolated from their families because of their choice." The happiness of the new Christians at the end of a long journey. Yohana Rista Sijabat: "Since I have been baptized are overjoyed. It's a dream come true."

"I thank God for the gift of the mission,” she said. “I am but a small instrument of God to bring hope and joy to the suffering and the needy”.