Multiculturalism and spiritual pluralism are the pride and peculiar treasure of Indonesia," said Francis during his first speech in Indonesia. The appeal to keep peaceful coexistence between different groups and beliefs in an atmosphere of tolerance was the main message of the papal speech. There was even mention of the search for God’s blessing. The words that this is about the Most Holy Trinity, which revealed Catholic religion to the world, have run out of space. The message of the Christ Vicar for the Malay archipelago has only a secular dimension. Is Francis convinced by Martin Scorsese's “Silence” that it is not worth carrying to certain places of faith?
This might seem so, since in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, Francis directed only praise to the listeners for the harmony in which sacred religion and false religions coexist in Indonesia. In words of appreciation for the cultural and confessive plurality of the island state, it is hard to search a call for conversion or to emphasize the importance of the Christian faith. Rather, it is an encouragement for everyone to believe as he sees fit to keep peace in the streets and a friendly disposition.
The speech addressed to authorities and society in the presidential palace in Jakarta Francis opened with mention to the large geographical diversity of Indonesia, located on about 17 1000 islands. "Just as the ocean is simply a natural component connecting all Indonesian islands, so common respect for the circumstantial cultural, ethnic, linguistic and spiritual characteristics of all the human groups of Indonesia is simply a essential aggregate tissue that makes the Indonesian people united and proud," said the Holy Father.
Francis pointed out that circumstantial differences contribute to the creation of a "great social mosaic". "Harmony in respect of diversity is achieved erstwhile each imagination takes account of common needs, and erstwhile each cultural group and spiritual religion act in a spirit of brotherhood, aiming for a noble intent to service the good of all," said the pope, encouraging concern to keep the balance between the diversity of cultures and various ideological visions and the rations cementing unity.
The Holy Father assured that maintaining the cultural and spiritual “harmony” would besides include the local Church. Francis announced that the Catholic hierarchy would strengthen cooperation with public institutions to encourage a more sustainable social structure and guarantee a more effective and equitable distribution of social assistance.
Francis recalled that the preamble to the Constitution of Indonesia refers to a "almighty god", to social justice, calling for the creation of an global order based on it, regarded as 1 of the main objectives to be achieved for the benefit of the full Indonesian people. "Unity in multiplicity, social justice and God. the blessing, therefore, are the basic principles which are to inspire and direct certain programs, are a kind of supporting structure, a solid basis on which the home is built," he pointed out.
Francis besides warned against the “dangerous” tendencies that endanger this “brotherly” atmosphere in the modern world. In his opinion, these are primarily conflicts between states and interior tensions, deficiency of social justice, or negation of the human heart’s request for faith. Sometimes, too, “tampering religion to fuel divisions and increase hatred” has a akin role. The Vicar of Christ called for respect for principles inspiring the organization of the Indonesian State.
Francis stressed that harmony is achieved erstwhile "everyone seeks not only his own interests and vision, but with a view to the good of all, for building bridges, supporting agreements and synergies, combining forces to overcome all forms of moral, economical and social misery, and promoting peace and consent." "God bless Indonesia with peace, for a future full of hope," said the Pope at the end of his speech.
This decisive praise of spiritual pluralism and "synergy" of the various cultures Francis gave in the Asian state brings to head the terrible message that Martin Scorsese's "Silence" conveys to viewers. This popular movie teaches fundamentally that there are places where religion does not belong. This is proved by the past of missionaries—postolates in Japan, who in time dedicate themselves to the service of power and worldly ventures at the imperial court, convinced that the apostolic on this far east island is meaningless. Francis' focus on the political order of the largest Muslim country in the planet and the deficiency of a call for the universal acceptance of religion in Christ by its inhabitants makes us believe that this optics besides accompanies Francis. It, not apostolic zeal, will be a sign of a company visit to the Far East. Care for the “common house”, “unity in diversity”, alternatively of “preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth.”
Sources: KAI
Philip Adamus
