In the world's largest Muslim country, Catholicism seems to
be vibrant.
Making their five-yearly visit to the Holy See, bishops from Indonesia report a
large number of catechumens, and a growth in interest in the faith, in their
country.
Catholics in Indonesia are estimated between 6.5 million (Church statistics)
and 10 million (government statistics).
The spokesman of the Indonesian bishops' conference, Bishop Martinus Situmorang
of Padang, explained the difference in figures to the Fides service.
"The present number of baptized Catholics is 6.5 million but besides these
there are at least 2 or 3 million catechumens and other people who feel drawn
to the Catholic faith and claim to be Catholics although they are not
baptized," he said.
"In Indonesia, where the government recognizes five religions -- Islam,
Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism and Protestantism ... -- a person's religion is
stated on identity papers," Bishop Situmorang said.
"Our Catholic communities are dynamic, anxious to share the faith although
there is a long way to go and many, many people who are waiting to hear the
Good News of the Gospel," he added.
"However there is nothing of proselytism in our religious services and
social and educational work, which are highly appreciated by the local
people," he said. "Our only aim is to give tangible signs of
Christian charity."
Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Ambon in the Molucca Islands, the scene of
Protestant-Muslim clashes in recent years, said the number of Catholics in his
area is growing.
"During the clashes," he explained, "the local Catholic communities
upheld the dignity of every person, irrespective of religion, and, rather than
siding with one of the parties in conflict, they worked to reach
reconciliation. This witness has led many to want to know more about the
Catholic faith."
Regarding the U.S.-led war on Iraq, the bishops expressed fear that the
conflict may cause a resurgence of Muslim fundamentalism, including in
Indonesia.
"There will almost certainly be a new wave of Islamic
fundamentalism," Bishop Situmorang told Fides. "But I am confident
that our Christian-Muslim dialogue will not be affected. We have strong ties
with the other religious leaders in our country.
"As you know, only a week or two ago, a delegation of Indonesian religious
leaders paid a visit to Pope John Paul II with a message of support for world
peace. I think that thanks to this testimony from religious leaders there will
be no open conflict between Christian and Muslim believers."
Bishop Mandagi observed: "In Indonesia, fundamentalist groups are small
but they are supported by international networks, as we saw in the Molucca
Islands. There are, in fact, groups and parties that try to exploit Islam for
their own interests."
"It is very easy to identify the Americans with Christianity and Iraqis
with Islam, and see the conflict as a war about religion," the Ambon
bishop said. "The Church all over the world must echo the Holy Father in
his affirmation that this war has nothing to do with religion. This must be
made clear with public demonstrations and statements by religious leaders so
that the message will reach grass-roots level."