Mathias Hariyadi

The Kunci Drug Rehabilitation Foundation offers a rehabilitation programme at a centre that can accommodate up to 18 patients. The Bishops' Conference has developed a plan that goes 'From despair to hope', calling on Catholic organisations to join. By 2015, at least 5.2 million people are expected to suffer from drug problems.

Three groups of unidentified persons on board motorcycles, launch attack during mass. Objects and posters damaged. Reasons for the violence unknown. Tighter controls around the place of worship. After decades of peaceful coexistence, Yogyakarta becomes center of anti-Christian violence and abuse.

In Yogyakarta, Central Java, a five-week seminar began for 20 priests from all over the country. Theologians and high-profile teachers are among the lecturers. Visits to parishes and Islamic centres are part of the programme. For Indonesian Jesuit, "training is essential to revive the missionary commitment."

Thousands of faithful attended the celebrations marking 110 years since the first baptism by Dutch missionary Fr van Lith, and 74 years since the creation of the Archdiocese of Semarang. Indonesia's Defence minister, a Catholic, and the sultan of Yogyakarta attended the service. The Muslim leader stressed the symbolic value of the area as a centre for Muslim-Christian dialogue.

The group's aim is to raise money and funds for basic activities and operations. In June, it celebrates 13 years of activity. Its work is essential to the life of seminaries and student training. For Indonesian Bishop, what Gotaus does is fundamental: bearing witness of the faith to others.

The Diocese of Sumba island has organized a workshop for 62 students, activists, teachers. The initiative promoted by the Catholic Bishops' Conference Social Communications Commission. Bishop Petrus Turang: encouraging Catholic news, aimed at proclamation of the Gospel.

The local community celebrated the jubilee and the day dedicated to social communications. The Diocese of Weetebula is divided into 24 parishes with 40 priests. Vibrant, the local community has seen vocations grow to more than 80 seminarians. Many Catholics come Flores, Java and other Indonesian provinces.

As the country prepares to choose its new president on 9 July, the Bishops' Conference calls on the faithful to exercise their civil rights and go to the polls. The prelates lay down some moral guidelines, asking voters to make an intelligent and informed choice. They also appeal to the values ​​of democracy, Pancasila and the Constitution of 1945.

Cianjur district chiefs close down seven places of worship over alleged irregularities in building permits (IMB). The IMB dates back to 2006, but the churches have been active since the end of the 70s . Christian leaders: some of the faithful have moved for "security reasons", for fear of attacks.

A group of Islamic fundamentalists attacked aProtestant community’s prayer hall, accusing the pastor of wanting to transform it into an illegal Church. It is the same area where the assault against the Catholic Parish of Banteng. The police, present during the raid, did not intervene.

The raid targeted faithful of the parish of the Holy Family of Banteng, praying the rosary and practicing hymns for Sunday. The host and owner of a small publishing house in the area brutally beaten. Archbishop of Semarang calls for thorough investigations. Sources told AsiaNews: "In the past fundamentalist groups attacked Ahmadis in the area".

Anti-corruption Commission is investigating Suryadharma Ali, a high-profile member of President Yudhoyono’s government and the most important Islamic party, the PPP. He skimmed money from visas and the organization of pilgrimages to Mecca. No links to the presidential campaign, but the political implications are inevitable.