The Rev. Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, president of the Indonesian Synod of Protestant Churches (PGI), reflects with AsiaNews on the meeting between the Pope and the Lutherans. The Protestant leaders intervene Assembly of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference: "It is a dialogue that has continued for decades, and that enriches us."
Radical groups plan a march for 4 November against the city’s Christian governor, accused of blasphemy. In fact, the real goal is to divide the country and weaken moderate movements. Extremist groups, possibly linked to the Islamic State, plan to infiltrate protest.
For years, the Franciscan sister Bernadette Saragih FSE has been committed to helping and saving young women deceived and exploited by prostitution racket in Malaysia. "These girls are 'blocked', they do not know how to react. Our mission in the world today: to help the desperate. "
The number of young migrant workers dying abroad is increasing. Poor farming conditions are driving hundreds of people to Malaysia, victims of people’s smugglers, working without papers. For local priest, educating village chiefs about the bureaucracy helps migrant workers.
Activities for young people and adults were organised in the month of October. The president of the Pontifical Missionary Works celebrated the final Mass yesterday. Free health care was provided to the poor, and young people visited hospices.
Sworn in on 20 October 2014, Indonesia’s president has been praised for his economic policy, tax amnesty, and infrastructure development in remote areas. However, he has been criticised for human rights violations, capital punishment, and castration of paedophiles.
Azianzah Sultan, 22, was putting up the Islamic State symbols in public places when police stopped him. After wounding some agents with a dagger, the terrorist was shot in the legs and arrested. He had caliphate leaflets and Molotov cocktails in his possession. For Defense minister, people must be more alert against the threat of groups linked to the Islamic State.
The president announces same prices in two remote, hard-to-reach provinces on the island of New Guinea where, in some regencies, petrol can cost up to 14 times than in the rest of the country. Locals welcome the decision but the state oil company slams it because of its hefty price tag of US$ 61 million.
On Wednesday, Indonesia’s parliament passed a law against pedophiles. Those convicted risk hormonal treatment, life imprisonment or death. For Mgr Pius Riana Prabdi, president of the Episcopal Youth Ministry Commission, “the authorities have given up on educating people and seeks shortcuts to solve the problem”. Human sexuality is “God’s gift and curbing it weakens people”.
The politician said that the Qur’an should not be used for non-religious purposes. Indonesia’s main Islamic groups accuse him of defaming Islam. The campaign to discredit him continues ahead of the upcoming election.
Thousands of people and 18 local bishops attend the closing Mass. Prayers, testimonies and moments of exchange between the young and clergymen filled the days. Two brothers from Taizé spoke yesterday, and participants went to confession. For one Catholic youth, being treated as “a brother or a sister” was worth all the travel.
About 2,600 youth and 16,000 Catholics are taking part in the event from 1 to 6 October.
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