Mathias Hariyadi

The 85-year-old religious served as abbot at the Rawaseneng monastery, in Central Java, for 28 years. He translated the breviary from Latin to Indonesian, composed numerous Gregorian chants, and wrote various books on spirituality. He had ties with Italy and the Trappist community in Vitorchiano.

Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, has spoken to 1700 principals of the metropolis, announcing students are free choose what clothes to wear: "Muslims cannot force everyone else to follow their precepts".

President Widodo announces that from next year on June 1st will be a national holiday to mark the birth of Pancasila, the "five pillars" of the national Constitution. Archdiocese of Jakarta holds special masses for national unity. The archbishop of the capital: "This guarantees peace despite differences within society."

The accused was arrested in 2013 at Penang airport with four kilos of amphetamines in her suitcase. According to some activists, she is yet another victim of traffickers who exploit the desperation of migrant workers. She received the suitcase from people she did not know and was not aware of the content. At least 158 ​​Indonesian nationals are on death row in Malaysia.

In a pastoral letter, Mgr Ignatius Suharyo calls on the faithful to heed the plea in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si. Pollution and deforestation have placed a huge burden on Indonesia’s environment. In the past 15 years, some ten million acres of forests have been lost. Working for the environment meets a moral call and needs new rules of conduct.

Jakarta has announced the imminent execution of 15 detainees. Fr. Siswantoko, Executive Secretary of the Commission, criticizes gaps in the judicial system, which does not guarantee the punishment of the guilty and condemns the innocent: "The death penalty is not a deterrent to drug dealers. Many of them continue to work from behind bars".

President Joko Widodo signed a decree amending sexual violence legislation. Culprits now face the death penalty or life imprisonment. For Catholic Women’s association, castration is contrary to fundamental human rights and “does not heal” what leads to rape. Medical practice should “never cause further harm.”

The mountain suddenly reactivated by emitting a thick red-hot smoke cloud that surprised local residents. Two injured are in critical condition. Access to the area is forbidden, but some farmers continue to live there. Number of people in the area at the time of the eruption unknown.

The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was banned in 1966 after President Suharto had thousands of its members and sympathisers slaughtered. Even though Marxism is dead, the authorities have banned any meeting of victims’ families. For activists, the ban conceals a desire not to shed light on the crimes committed in 1966. Some 122 mass graves have been found.

No official date has been set, but death row inmates, five Indonesians and 10 foreigners, will be executed "in mid-May”. Mary Jane Veloso, a 30-year-old Filipina maid sentenced to death, was spared because her case is being prepared in the Philippines.

Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesia’s foremost moderate Islamic organisation, organised the meeting, which ended today. Some 500 Muslim leaders from 70 countries took part in the conference. Organisers want Indonesia to lead the way in solving conflicts caused by extremism. De-radicalisation programmes are already in operation for Syrian War veterans.

The archdiocese of the capital inaugurates a special prayer time for "the heroes of the nation and for politicians”. Thousands of rosaries with the colors of the national flag handed out: "They symbolize the search for truth and holiness."