Mathias Hariyadi

The new priests include two who are set to go as missionaries to Poland and the Amazon. The Catholic Church in Indonesia is enjoying a rise in vocations to the religious life. In recent decades, more and more Indonesian priests, religious and nuns have gone abroad.

A choir competition called Pesparani was held in Palembang. Mgr Sudarso chose a Muslim leader to head the organising committee. For the archbishop, this helps “true brotherhood among the people”.

The church façade became a large screen for historical and artistic images, part of celebrations for the 91st anniversary of Sumpah Pemuda, the ‘Youth Pledge’. Card Suharyo said he was “very happy to share these moments with other religious leaders”.

Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko of Semarang meets 1,857 catechists to thank them for their commitment. The Archdiocese of Jakarta hosts the recitation of the rosary and a procession of the statue of the Virgin in the cathedral. Palembang Catholics trace the history of the Christian presence in Sumatra.

The president has named top military officials to key cabinet positions. The appointment of his main political rival has surprised public opinion. For one political scientist, in doing so, Widodo is pursuing a strategy “to crush enemies of the nation’s ideology”.

The inauguration ceremony took place amid tight security measures. Speaking before parliament, Widodo pledged to develop the country's human resources and economy, and to end inefficiencies and corruption in the bureaucracy. Bishops speak about their expectations vis-à-vis the new government.

The president will take his oath of office, starting his second term, on Sunday. The authorities are deploying some 30,000 soldiers and police in the capital, fearing attacks and violent protests. The Bishops' Conference urges greater vigilance.

The president will take the oath of office for his second mandate on Sunday. Since the failed assassination attempt against Minister Wiranto, security forces have arrested 26 suspected terrorists. Churches were among Jihadi targets.

The stabbing marks the first IS attack against an Indonesian government official. A married couple carried out the attack. The 72-year-old general suffered two deep wounds to the abdomen but is in stable conditions. For the country’s intelligence services, Islamists plan to strike during the president's upcoming inauguration ceremony.

Puan Maharani, a former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs in the first Widodo administration, is the daughter of Megawati Sukarnoputri, Indonesia’s first woman president, and granddaughter of Sukarno, the country’s founding father. After the swearing-in ceremony, she said that politics should not be a taboo for Indonesian women.

The 6.5 quake occurred at 9.15 pm yesterday, forcing residents to flee to higher ground. The Central Maluku regency recorded the highest number of deaths (14). Six people died in Ambon, four in West Seram regency. At least 235 aftershocks have been recorded.

Three days ago, 30 people died in clashes in Wamena, including 27 civilians and three members of a separatist group. Anti-government protesters set some buildings, houses and shops on fire. The governor visits the displaced: "We are all Indonesians and in Indonesian territory".