Mathias Hariyadi

Episodes of religious and political intolerance are growing in the country. The bishop launches slogan 'We are Different, We are Indonesia' and the image of Our Lady of All Ethnicities. The Indonesian Church is engaged in numerous initiatives and projects aimed at promoting and guaranteeing the national value ​​of pluralism.

Christmas celebrations are held in Pontianak. Intolerance and the political manipulation of religious sentiments are rising in the country. Widodo takes a firm stance in favour of Indonesia’s multiculturalism. Mgr Agustinus Agus calls for acceptance and development of differences, which represent the riches of the nation.

Indonesia’s police chief, Armed Forces commander, and Home Affairs minister visited Jakarta cathedral on Christmas eve. Jakarta governor arrived in the church after the liturgy had already started. Official Christmas celebrations will be held tomorrow in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

The choice of the location, symbol of Indonesia’s struggle for independence, is inappropriate. The attempt to gain "political benefits" by exploiting the religious festivity is criticised.

The epicentre was at a depth of six kilometres in Tasikmalaya (West Java). The quake was felt in Jakarta as well. More than 70 buildings were badly damaged. The dead were killed by collapsing walls. Churches also suffered damages.

The request of an Islamic group was rejected by the Constitutional Court and the request in favor of the marriage between colleagues was accepted. The common practice requires one of the spouses to resign or relocation. Homosexual relationships, judged "illicit" by most of society, not a crime. The approval of human rights activists.

Regulations by some Muslim community leaders had banned gatherings by minority religious groups and the use of loudspeakers. They were issued days after members of the Indonesia Bethel Church had held a ceremony. For the local police chief, national values ​​of pluralism “are not negotiable".

Bishop Hilarion Datus Lega led the service. The presence of the archbishops of Semarang and Ende is significant. Because of the vastness of its remote territory and its pastoral challenges, the diocese of Manokwari-Sorong relies on the support of other Indonesian dioceses.

At least five thousand passengers and tourists are looking for alternative ways to leave the island. Ash and debris have reached 4,000 metres. Several villages are in the dark. When Mount Agung erupted in 1963 and 1964, thousands died.

323 adults and 22 children from the village of Tembagapura saved. The troops first successfully occupied Kimberly and Bunti. Free Papua Movement militants have fled into the jungle. Gun fire heard during evacuation of hostages exploded some shots. Two corpses found.

The prelates renewed their support for the nation’s values ​​of unity and harmony to which Catholics were committed before and after independence. The Vatican was among the first foreign states to recognise the new country, which the Indonesian Catholic Church helped stabilise. Mgr Albertus Soegijapranata of the Semarang Apostolic Vicariate played an important role.

The sentence is more lenient than the one demanded by the public prosecutor. Buni Yani posted comments to a video he altered. The latter triggered Islamist violence and influenced an election. The images also led the former Christian governor to a two-year prison sentence for blasphemy.