Mathias Hariyadi

The nuns run the Fatima Hospital in Ketapang, six rural clinics and several colleges scattered in the remote territory. They can reach the farthest villages only on motorbikes along long muddy roads, carrying basic items and equipment. The region’s child mortality is three times the national average, ten time in the case of infant mortality.

A solemn Mass in St Joseph Cathedral closes four-day event organised by the Pontifical Society of Young Missionaries. More than 1,300 young people came from the country’s 35 dioceses as well as East Timor and Malaysia. All took an oath to reaffirm the commitment of the Catholic community to safeguard the unity of Indonesia as a pluralist society.

On the third day of the meeting, the prelates shared their personal experiences as priests and community leaders in their respective dioceses. The meeting with Dutch missionaries and Passionist Fathers pushed Mgr Pius Riana Prapdi and Mgr Agustinus Agus to follow their vocation.

SEKAMI’s national Jamboree is an important opportunity to share experiences. For Fr Pey Hurint, teaching methods and spreading the faith "depend above all on the social context of each diocese". Identity policies, corruption and religious intolerance are the most pressing challenges for pluralist Indonesia. Each diocese of the country is responsible for particular initiatives and volunteer training.

Titled ‘Disseminating the joy of the Bible within diversity", the event opened on Tuesday until tomorrow. Music and traditional dances animated the opening ceremony, followed by a solemn Mass. For Archbishop Agustinus Agus, "pluralism and diversity are in the nature of the Indonesian nation and Church".

The bishop of Tanjung Karang ordained five new priests in his diocese. Mgr Robertus Rubiyatmoko, archbishop of Semarang, officiated the consecration ceremonies of 11 diocesan priests, a Xaverian father and two Trappists. The bishop of Ketapang ordained a priest in remote Air Upas to "promote religious vocations among local youth".

Observers monitor the results of Islamist political formations. More than half of those eligible to vote in the Pilkada reside on the island of Java. Imposing security measures set up for voting. Fears of possible attacks by terrorists of Jemaah Ansharut Daulah (Jad). Surveys suggest that candidates supported by President Widodo will win in key provinces like West Java.

The search for at least 192 missing people continues. Overcrowding, strong winds and two-metre high waves sank the KM Sinar Bangun. The authorities are speaking to witnesses and relatives to determine the exact number of passengers. At least three people are confirmed dead; 18 survivors so far. A hundred motorcycles were on board.

13,800 refugees arrived this year in the country, mostly Afghans, Pakistanis, Iranians, Iraqis, Ethiopians, Sri Lankans and citizens of Myanmar. "We are facing an urgent humanitarian issues". The Archdiocese of Jakarta responds to the emergency in the overcrowded Cengkareng asylum center.

Yahya Cholil Staquf, a leader in Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), travelled to Tel Aviv on a "private mission". According to extremists, he is undermining Indonesian support for a Palestinian state. Israel’s decision to stop issuing tourist visas to Indonesians remains controversial.

The group includes 51 students from Indonesia’s oldest Catholic seminary. The first performances were held in Magelang with the participation of local university students. Concerts in Yogyakarta and Jakarta were sold out. For the choir coordinator, “months of preparation have served this: to build their capacity to communicate with others."

Saint Mary is the oldest Cistercian monastery in Indonesia. It grows coffee, runs a dairy and makes bread and pastry, contributing to the community's self-sufficiency. In 1987, Trappist monks established the first female community in Gedono, on the slopes of Mount Merbabu. In 1996, the Abbey of Lamanabi was built on Flores, a predominantly Catholic island.