Mathias Hariyadi

Experts, scholars, and priests attend workshop organised by Indonesian Catholic Society Forum to teach how Catholic foundations can use money in an honest and transparent way.

Some 7,000 people have fled Aceh Singkil Regency. Two days ago a group of Muslims set fire to two churches. At least 2,000 refugees have reached the diocese of Sibolga, to the south. Singkil had not experienced sectarian violence before. In 1979, local Muslims and Christians had worked out a deal.

The mob of fundamentalists set fire to a church, claiming it was illegal and without building permits. Attempts to set fire to a second triggered clashes with the local population. Several Christian families flee in fear of more violence. In the coming days another 10 Christian places of worship will be demolished.

The Muslim family of Robertus B. Asiyanto joyfully participated in his ordination in Maumere. His mother laid her hands on the altar: "I'm really happy with my son’s choice". The island of Flores is one of the few predominantly Catholic areas of Indonesia.

Ratu Airin Karla and Dumani, two men, invited relatives and friends to a party to celebrate their long friendship. Participants found themselves instead at a real wedding, celebrated according to the Javanese tradition. The union was not recognized by the government, because it lacks the necessary blessing of religious authority.

About ten religious were detained by police in front of the Good Shepherd Catholic Church. They were demanding justice for a young student murder victim. Their action “was designed to give a voice to our heart and conscience,” a clergyman said. “The Franciscans came to Papua in 1936 out of love for the people, not the state." A few hours after their arrest, they were released.

Fr. Benedictus Hari Juliawan speaks of the Jesuits’ work with the boat people since 2010. Migration flows affect countries of Southeast Asia. The islands of Eastern Indonesia turned into forced labor camps. "About 700 thousand people a year leave the country to find work. They fall prey to human trafficking mafia ".

Members of the Catholic Church in Indonesia are in favour of government family planning, as long as it promotes “responsible parenthood." Started by Suharto in the 1970s, family planning had fallen by the wayside after 1998. Now the government wants to cut population growth, deemed a burden on the economy.

The testimony of Satya Tantra, a Muslim student at the Catholic University of Soegijapranata, attending Aseaccu event. A "wonderful opportunity" to an "inclusive" experience on a religious, human and social level. With him, a young Catholic, who sees possibility of a "society in which Muslims, Christians and Buddhists live happily together."

After weeks of sometimes hard negotiations, Indonesia picks China to build its US$ 5.5 billion high-speed train. China’s offer without requiring funding from Indonesia was the tipping point. The rail link should be up and running in three years. The decision boosts Sino-Indonesian economic relations.

As the economy slows, the rupiah hits its lowest point in 17 years. Since August 26,000, jobs have been lost. At the 13th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in Bali, Indonesian politicians tried to woe Chinese business by cutting red tape. Currency devaluation is a good opportunity for foreign investors, Indonesian economist says.

At a conference of the Association of Catholic Universities in Semarang, participants stayed in families with different religious background for the first time. For the man behind it, such an experience gave them a chance to have a “hands-on experience” to communicate their faith in a plural society.