Mathias Hariyadi

The two communities show that religious tolerance is still alive in the archipelago. Some Islamists call on Muslims not to wish Merry Christmas. Moderate politicians and groups visit churches and parishes across the country. Central Java governor meets Trappist nuns.

Police in Kampung Baru warned Catholics against holding services, urging them to attend a church 120 kilometres away. Some 210 Protestant and Catholic families in Sungai Tambang have also been prevented from practising their faith.

The crèche was almost lost in recent years. Now communities across the country are reviving the tradition following the release of Pope Francis’s Admirabile signum on 1st December. Catholics in Cawas are setting up a crèche after work, says local pastor. Figurine production is back.

The archbishop led a Mass to mark his cardinalship. Scores of Catholic figures and hundreds of former seminarians attended the service. The cardinal told the faithful to be compassionate and “follow up the good hopes for the Saviour's arrival, showing mercy to your neighbours.”

The important anniversary is celebrated with a cultural festival, a Mass and a new radio station. Card Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, archbishop of Jakarta and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia attended the solemn Eucharistic celebration. The local bishop exalts “the great enthusiasm shown by the Asmat people”.

The 24-year-old student, who hails from the Diocese of Bogor, will join the 20-member group set up by the Holy See. The latter include young people from around the world and various movements, associations and communities. Young people took part in the various stages of the 2018 Synod. Dialogue based on tolerance is fundamental.

This year marks the 800th anniversary of the meeting between Saint Francis of Assisi and Egypt’s Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil. The festivities opened with a solemn thanksgiving Mass, during which participants also celebrated some priestly anniversaries.

After the strong tremor, hundreds of aftershocks followed. Some damage was reported to three Protestant churches in Ternate and the Church of St Teresa in Malalayang, about 5 kilometres from Manado. There was a lot of fear for a possible tsunami.

Rabbial Muslim Nasution was influenced by Dewi A, who indoctrinated her husband through internet material to carry out a suicide attack. She was also in contact with a detained terrorist. Together, they were planning a new attack. Evidence was found on the social media.

The victims are four agents, an employee and a civilian. The attack took place around 8.40 am in a car park near an area where the public waits for documents to be issued. The police are trying to establish the aggressor's identity to clarify if he was part of the terrorist network of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (Jad) or was a lone wolf.

Fr Charles Patrick Burrows, 76, an Irish missionary of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, has been working in Cilacap district since 1973. “Being among people, talking to and working with people regardless of their ethnic and religious background are Fr Carolus’s natural qualities.”

The annual conference of Indonesian bishops is now underway in the Diocese of Bandung. Last June, the pontiff urged them to promote and teach the text on human fraternity. Card Suharyo hopes it “will inspire change”.