Mathias Hariyadi

The KBKK, a lay charity and humanitarian organisation, spent two weeks among the indigenous people of the diocese of Agats-Timika, one of the remotest and poorest in the country. Local bishop is grateful for the help provided, medical care included.

The controversy over the construction of a Protestant church denied a permit by mayor continues, despite the Supreme Court ruling. Both parties seek support from different Muslim organizations.

The mayor allows Muslim extremists to stop Christians from reaching site of Sunday service. Human rights organisation appeals to President. “Mr President,” its letter says, “you are the last hope for the Yasmin Church to see its rights respected.”

Diani Budiarto, regardless of a ruling by the Constitutional Court, will not guarantee freedom of Christian worship to the Yasmin Church of. Muslim Professor calls on the government to punish the official, but warns that one case of intolerance should not be generalized. Priest recalls the attacks on 47 churches in 2010 and claims the right to religious freedom.

President of the Catholic party of Indonesia during the Sukarno regime, Joseph Kasim is today one of the six most important figures of the country. Before his death in 1986, for over 30 years he was one of the few leaders to oppose the dictatorship of a communist regime.

PDIP leaders threaten non-confidence motion against Diani Budiarto, the Bogor mayor who has denied religious freedom despite a Constitution Court ruling. He has violated the law and rejected Indonesia’s founding principles of Pancasila. For political analysts, the decision represents a major “turning point”.

A radical Muslim group, the Islamic Defender Front (FPI), launches an appeal for the destruction of “un-Islamic” statues, like Chinese dragons, representations of the Buddha or Christian icons if they are in public places rather than in places of worship.

High Court cuts Abu Bakar Baasyr’s 15-year prison sentence down to nine. Wiretapped phone conversations that show his responsibility could not be entered as evidence during the trial.

One week course in the region of Kapuas Hulu (West Kalimantan) for 35 young people. In Pontianak, the provincial capital, a course in choral singing for more than 200 young people. The aim of the initiative: to compose traditional Dayak songs, of the indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia.

Parliament and government submit draft bill to solve confessional conflicts, which have flared up in recent years. However, the proposal has generated a heated debate among scholars and in civil society. Bishops call for “a law that guarantees the right to practice one’s faith”.

A seminar organised by the Bishops’ Conference stresses the need for lay Catholic politicians to show their diversity by engaging in ethically irreproachable behaviour. They should practice “a good Catholic way of life, including praying and attending mass regularly,” as well as “neither manipulate nor be manipulated.”

‘Job Fair’ is at its third edition. Youth groups are behind the event. The aim is to bring together jobseekers and employers with a spirit of helping people help people.