Jakarta (AsiaNews) – More than 150 diocesan priests and bishops from 37 dioceses from across the country took part in the 12th edition of the Indonesian Diocesan Priest Forum, known as Unio Indonesia, held at the seat of the archdiocese of Palembang, South Sumatra, from 2 to 7 May 2017.
Titled ‘Priests smell like sheep" (paraphrasing Pope Francis), the meeting focused on the importance for priests to maintain a strong bond with their flock in performing their pastoral work. Hence, forum participants were sent out to seven parishes in Palembang to bring evangelical joy to parishioners and experience the daily life in 103 Catholic families.
"Priests are required to present God’s blessing, as well as reinforce and support people's morals vis-à-vis the challenges and obstacles of their daily life,” Mgr Aloysius Sudarso, Archbishop of Palembang, said. “Priests have a duty to offer moral assistance, not only to our common friends, Catholics, but also to ordinary citizens, Indonesians."
Mgr P C Mandagi, of the diocese of Amboina in the Moluccas, and Mgr Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of the Diocese of Bandung (West Java) focused their remarks on the future challenges facing diocesan priests in Indonesia.
One of the suggestions reached at the end of the meeting stressed the urgent need for continuing education of priests. This is often overlooked in Indonesia since people often believe that once ordained, a priest has already completed his education.
Public officials also attended the Unio Indonesia forum. South Sumatra deputy governor opened the meeting, whilst provincial authorities sponsored the event, hosting a courtesy dinner for all the participants.
Before the conference ended, Fr Paulus Christian "Koko" Siswantoko, diocesan priest in the Diocese of Purwokerto, Central Java, was elected Unio Indonesia’s new president in lieu of Fr Siprianus Hormat, a diocesan priest in the diocese of Ruteng, Flores.
The meeting ended with the celebration of Mass in many parishes in Palembang.
