The Holy Father’s current visit to Indonesia is the perfect time to reflect on the long tradition of mission in this diverse and vibrant country.
Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia this week, beginning his 45th Apostolic Visit in Jakarta. This extraordinary nation is made up of almost 17,500 islands and is home to more than 1,300 ethnic groups, who speak 719 different languages. Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, with only 3% of the population identifying as Catholic. These Indonesian Catholics live in a pluralistic society – one which contains many religions, diverse cultures, languages, tribes, and ethnicities.
‘Many but One’
So it’s entirely apt that the Holy Father has begun his tour by praising the nation’s motto: Bhinneka tunggal ika (‘United in Diversity’, or more literally ‘Many but One’).
Having been welcomed to the presidential palace by President Joko Widodo, surrounded by crowds of Indonesian children waving both Vatican and Indonesian flags, Pope Francis expressed his thanks for the warm welcome the people of Indonesia.
The Holy Father encouraged them to continue the ‘wise and delicate balance’ between the different cultures, ideologies, and faiths. As part of this important work, he promised that the Catholic Church would continue to promote interreligious dialogue, and foster a ‘peaceful and fruitful harmony’, which he hoped could help to overcome tensions and conflicts which inevitably erupt.
500 years of faith
It’s around 500 years since the first missionaries arrived in Indonesia. For centuries, many local communities were sustained through their work. But it wasn’t until the 20th century that the first local Priest was ordained – a sign that the seed planted by those first missionaries was beginning to bear fruit.
In less than 100 years, the 37 dioceses of the Asian country have grown exponentially. There are now more than 5,700 Priests and almost 1,500 parishes, as well as thousands of health and educational institutions – all supported and financed through contributions of Missio’s worldwide network.
Mission today in Indonesia
But despite the long presence of missionaries in the country, and the growth of the local Church, the dispersed nature of the Catholic community and its status as a minority population means the Church here is still very much in a mission territory.
Sister Ana Emilce Parra, a Servant of the Sick and a Missionary Sister originally from Colombia, explains that although the presence of the Church is quite small in Indonesia, it is always beneficial. She explains:
‘The Catholic Church provides a great service of help, presence, teaching, health…’
Following her congregation’s charism, most of Sr Ana Emilce’s days are spent visiting the sick in their homes in Larantuka. Many of whom she visits are Muslims, as missionaries are committed to helping anyone in need, regardless of their background or belief.
The work of missionaries like Sr Ana Emilce is vital to fostering the ‘peaceful and fruitful harmony’ Pope Francis mentioned in his initial address in Jakarta:
‘Harmony is achieved when we are committed not only to our own interests and vision, but to the good of all, to building bridges, fostering agreements and synergies, joining forces in order to defeat all forms of moral, economic and social distress, and promoting peace and concord.’
Welcoming the Holy Father with joy
Sr Ana Emilce appreciates the effort that Pope Francis, who is now 87, is making to reach out to the Pacific nations in person and shared: ‘The Pope’s visit to these brothers and sisters of ours, who have kept the faith against all odds, is a gift… There are great expectations of unity, dialogue and encounter.’
We give thanks for the Holy Father’s visit to Indonesia and join him in his hopes and prayers for the entire nation. As he wrote in the Book of Honour at the presidential palace:
‘Immersed in the beauty of this land, a place of encounter and dialogue between different cultures and religions, I wish the Indonesian people growth in faith, fraternity, and compassion. God bless Indonesia!’