Mathias Hariyadi

Ahmad Faiz Zainuddin talks about his school friend, Dita Oeprianto, the man who led his family to carry out multiple bombings. Together with his family, he organised suicide attacks against three Christian churches. Before the attacks, the family prayed together with the local Islamic community. "Bullets can kill terrorists, but only a good education can erase their radical thoughts,” Zainuddin writes. To “my beloved Christian brothers & sisters”, he offers his condolences.

The family of six – father, mother, two daughters and two sons – belonged to the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), a group linked to the Islamic State group. So far, 13 people are known to have died and 45 wounded. President Widodo visited the crime scenes and the victims. Archbishop of Pontianak calls for a defence of pluralism. The Muslim organisation Nahdlatul Ulama urges the authorities to provide better security for the population, slamming hostile acts based on manipulating religion.

A suicide attack targeted the Catholic church of St. Mary Immaculate. A few minutes later, another explosion occurred at the building of the Christian Church of Indonesia (Gki). The last explosion occurred at the Pentecostal church of Jalan Arjuna. A fourth attack on the cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was thwarted by the police.

The young newly ordained are from Jakarta and come from parishes in the metropolitan area of ​​the capital. As the theme of their priestly ordination, they chose the phrase "Have faith and rejoice in Christ".

It is a phreatic eruption, which occurs when the magma heats earth or surface water. Slight tremors felt in the surrounding towns of Surakarta, Boyolali and Klaten. About 150 hikers are still on the volcano but they are safe.

The officer of the anti-terrorist unit of the Iwan Sarjana police was immediately transported to the hospital. The disorders lasted around 36 hours. About 145 prisoners surrendered without resistance. Minister of Jakarta: "There was no concession or negotiation".

About 130 inmates suspected or convicted of terrorism are held at the Mako Brimob detention centre. Some reports indicate they are linked to Amman Abdurrahman, leader of the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) terrorist group. Former Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama is held at the safe facility and is safe.

The meeting was held between 19 and 22 April. The ‘K3s’ includes six dioceses on Java Island. The bishop of Bogor hopes the Holy Scriptures may “be a fruitful resource and the main source of inspiration for all the activities of the Church."

Program focuses on some urgencies that all religious "mentors" must be aware of. In the age of technological communication, a more "friendly" approach is required in the formation of candidates. Many challenges are related to the "instant culture" of millennials. Religious educators are challenged by behaviours that are not "suited" to religious life.

In recent years, the country’s religious orders have seen a sharp decline in vocations. Priests, nuns, men and women religious were welcomed in the homes of the faithful in the provinces of West Kalimantan, Central Java and Yogyakarta, sharing the story of their vocation and some aspects of the life they dedicate to Christ.

Setya Novanto was found guilty of rigging a government contract to buy electronic identity cards. He is the fourth defendant found guilty in the case, following the conviction of Irman and Sugiharto, two former senior officials with the Interior Ministry, and businessman Andi Agustinus (aka Andi Narogong).

Amazement and joy among tribals as Joko Widodo arrives among them. A meeting with the local Church has been cancelled for unknown reasons. Mons. Aloysius Murwito, bishop of Agats: "His presence will reap the blessing of this land and its people". The president's commitment to the development of the province persuades some separatists to abandon the struggle.