An Indonesian cardinal promotes fraternity this Christmas

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta, Indonesia's top churchman, has urged Catholics to use Christ's love to foster fraternity in the country's secular society.

"Celebrating Christmas should not be limited to the holiday season.
This year's celebrations must be jam-packed with events that promote and sustain fraternity.
This is critical for our pluralistic and diverse nation," the prelate said in his Christmas message, which was released on Dec. 19.

"During this Christmas season, it is critical and essential for our country to build a brotherhood using Christ's love as an inspiration.
This can be accomplished through encouraging an attitude of patriotism and care."

 

Cardinal Suharyo, who is also the chairman of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, believes that unity will help everyone overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, which has damaged every element of life.

During the pandemic, Indonesians, like many others around the world, were subjected to severe social restrictions.
Restrictions will be in place again this year for Christmas.

Christmas activities that involve large crowds in public locations, such as carol performances or shopping mall celebrations, are prohibited.

 

Church services, on the other hand, will continue, with the Jakarta Archdiocese announcing that parish attendance for Christmas and New Year Eucharistic celebrations will be reduced to 40% of church capacity.

The archbishop wrote a letter last week urging parishioners to stay at home as "a sort of abstinence" and to help prevent the spread of the Omicron type, which was first detected in Indonesia last week.

Indonesia had 4,260,544 Covid-19 cases and 144,002 deaths as of Dec. 19.

"To all Christians, a happy Christmas."
Let us ring in the New Year together.
Cardinal Suharyo advised, "Stay healthy and blessed."

 

Other Indonesian prelates made similar appeals in their Christmas messages.

"Religions educate their followers that fraternity is a virtue that allows us to live in harmony with one another.
"Fraternity with fellow Muslims, fraternity with fellow citizens, and fraternity with fellow human beings" are three degrees of fraternity mentioned in Islam, according to Franciscan Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar of Jayapura.

"The most wonderful Christmas present for Jesus is to nurture fraternity."
Because fraternity transcends races, geographies, faiths, and civilizations, as well as social standing and local customs.

"This year, let us commemorate Jesus' birth by pulling down dividing walls of hatred, greed, arrogance, and rage."

Catholics "are asked to become agents of peace who support and care for the suffering people and who are humble and willing to sacrifice for others," said Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak in West Kalimantan in his Christmas message.