The faithful in Indonesia are being urged to provide wholesome food help by an Indonesian cardinal

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta has urged Catholics in his archdiocese to help the poor and those impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic by sharing healthy food.

He added this year's commemoration coincided with the archdiocese's Year of Reflection in a four-page pastoral letter titled "Give More Thanks and Be a Blessing by Sharing Healthy Food," which was read out during Sunday Masses in all 66 parishes on Oct. 17 to celebrate World Food Day.

"We might examine ourselves, our families, and our communities, 'Have we loved our brothers and sisters and neighbours who are hungry?'
"What have we done and what do we need to do to assist them cope?" he said.

 

If you're going to share food, make sure it's healthful and nutritious, he advised.

Many people in Indonesia have lost work as a result of the pandemic, which has seen individuals and groups share food with others in need in spontaneous and organised ways, according to him.

To assist them, one method was to hang basic food packets on people's fences.

 

"As a point of reflection, we can ask: 'Are we, our families, or our communities involved in these initiatives?'
“Are we the ones who assist those who are in need?” he inquired.

According to the Manpower Ministry, the epidemic has affected around 29.4 million Indonesian workers, with both permanent and temporary layoffs.

Cardinal Suharyo, the leader of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, said distributing healthy food should be considered as a gesture of solidarity with those who have been afflicted by the pandemic as well as those who are in need.

 

"In order to improve the common good and maintain human dignity, we should establish a sense of solidarity via the sharing of healthy meals," he stated.