Mathias Hariyadi

Fr Joseph L. Sena, a pastor in West Papua, organised a number of activities for young people in his diocese, to raise awareness about the pollution that threatens the biodiversity of Raja Ampat, a group of local islands that have become a major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.

The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission orders TV stations to ban ambiguous messages on sexual orientation. Make-up, dress, voice, and behaviours deemed "effeminate" are proscribed. For Jesuit priest, LGBT "is a real fact and we must accept it;” however, “marriage is a private commitment between a man and a woman”.

Ahmad Al Thayyeb is on visit to the most populous Muslim country in the world. Indonesian President asks him to defend the moderate vision of Islam, against the radical threat. Muslim Scholars: "Al Thayyeb is a great authority, his visit is meant to strengthen cultural ties with Jakarta and prevent a Shiite-Sunni conflict occurring in Indonesia." Catholic professor: "The Church is ready to support a moderate reform of Islam."

The Joko Widodo administration plans changes to Law 33-2012, which set up an anti-corruption commission. For Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Confucian leaders, parliament seeks to weaken investigators’ powers to cover corrupt politicians. Indonesia ranks 88th (out of 168) on corruption index.

Many initiatives launched by the 37 dioceses in the country on Ash Wednesday. With the project "Development and fasting" the faithful donate surplus food and money in favor of those in need. Many dioceses launch prayer chains that will end in October. Renewal of family ministry: "The Christian home is the place of children’s education to charity."

St Augustine Catholic Church in Manokwari sees open-air medical outreach on World Day of the Sick. Doctors from St Monica Clinic, a local medical facility, provided lessons on gout, alcoholism and diabetes, which are major local problems. For local priest, illness is “a tough time” that calls for total surrender to Jesus, as Mary did at the Wedding at Cana.

One of President Joko Widodo’s immediate goals is to reform the country’s anti-terrorism legislation in order prevent attacks. Although the Jakarta bombers were under surveillance, police could not act to stop them. As the Islamic State group becomes a major threat in the country, moderate Islamic groups are called to check Friday sermons in mosques. Singapore and Malaysia are a model to fight extremism.

A dozen members of Islam Defenders Front raided a Jakarta hotel, where the meeting on human rights was taking place. After hours of threats and negotiations with police, participants were evacuated for "security reasons".

From 25 to 28 January, Indonesia hosted an International Conference on Family Planning, sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. For years, Indonesia’s main religions have worked with the government to educate families about responsible parenthood. For Muslim scholar, in Islam, there is the concept of al-mashalihul Ammah, i.e. the common good. "The number of people in a country or individuals in a family is a crucial point in Islam,” he said.

Public and private structures involved. People in economic difficulty are convinced to "donate" their organs with generous offers of money. The beneficiaries are wealthy foreigners. Hunt on for corrupt doctors.

Censorious statements by the Higher Education minister against LGBT groups have led Islamist groups to radicalise their positions, whilst eliciting some attempt to defend LGBT rights. For Jakarta governor, "No one should prevent others from having different sexual orientations”. Legislation varies from province to province.

Army and Navy Special Forces have joined the police to hunt for suspected mastermind, Bahrum Naim, and Santoso, the country’s Most Wanted, who is hiding in the jungle near Poso among friends.