Mathias Hariyadi

For Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, “there will be no more prejudices based on ethnicity and religion." Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan HamengkuBuwono X was also present at the opening ceremony. For Archbishop Robertus Rubyatamoko of Semarang, chairman of the organising committee, the gathering " is a good opportunity for young Catholics in Asia to experience the true ‘social identity’ of Asian nations: diversity and plural society.”

The important Yogyakarta meeting comes ahead of next year’s synod dedicated to young people. For Card Patrick D'Rosario, the Church of Asia “faces many social problems, especially poverty.” He urged young Catholics to participate in its mission. AYD’s 'spiritual fruits' must find application in the real life of young Catholics.

Participants come from India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Mongolia, Philippines, Hong Kong, and Cambodia. Indonesians have come from some of the remotest regencies to attend the event. For Bishop Pius Riana Prapdi, the young are the heart of the Church.

Asian Youth Day opens tomorrow with 3,000 young people from all over Asia. The final ceremony will see 20,000 young people from all of Indonesia's provinces. At the start, young people will stay with families in 11 dioceses. AYD activities will follow. The event sparks memory of John Paul II, who urged young people to be missionaries in daily life together with their peers.

The Archdiocese of Jakarta has been divided into eight areas, each tasked with hosting foreign delegations for the own Days in Diocese. The members of the Muslim Youth Friends are happy to participate as volunteers at this international event.

Yesterday, two Batak priests were ordained in Padang. Two days ago 8 priests in the diocese of Semarang. Two weeks ago, six new Jesuit priests in Kotabaru. Many young people reflect on the basic meaning of their lives and decide to enter seminaries. A very different situation from the one in the West.

The parliament is trying to hinder investigations by resorting to its Right to query. People's Representative Council Speaker Setya Novanto is among the suspects. Some legislators are thought to have received money over the electronic ID cards plan.

The event was organised by the Pontifical Missionary Children’s Society of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference. The “sound of the tifa to proclaim biblical joy on Papuan land,” i.e. an invitation to spread the Word with joy and energy, was the meeting’s theme. For an organiser, SEKAMI Kids “are the future and hope of the Church". For Bishop Hilarion Datus Lega, "Young people have something great to offer to society: their joy."

The remote central province has only 24 diocesan priests and 11 Passionists. The pastoral mission of the Church is made difficult by the lack of priests. The ceremony drew thousands of Catholics. Frs Hendrik and Fransiscus talked to AsiaNews about their path of faith.

The 55-year age gap did not prevent the love story from blossoming six months ago when the young man moved in with the woman after his parents’ divorce. The local village chief sanctioned the union. Indonesia’s child protection agency expressed some doubts.

Indonesian sympathisers of the Islamic State group target law enforcement. The attacker joined 20 policemen for Friday prayer before launching his attack. He was killed trying to escape. Lawmakers plan to revise the country’s anti-terrorism law before the end of the year. The Widodo administration pursues its anti-terrorism campaign.

In Jakarta, car parks for the cathedral and mosque are used by both communities. Early morning moves to "leave room" for the celebrations of the Islamic feast. Message from the Archbishop of Jakarta.