Nurturing Get-together for Peace

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, the Archbishop of Jakarta, presides over Christmas Mass on Wednesday (25/12/2019) at Jakarta Cathedral in Central Jakarta. The service was held in solemnity under secure conditions, and the Archbishop later received representatives of the Love the Nation Society that was founded by Yudi Latif.

The message of tolerance and love for the motherland echoed during Christmas celebrations. In his Christmas message, Pope Francis, among others, called for peace in the world.JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Christmas celebrations in a number of regions in the country took place peacefully, smoothly and safely. The message of tolerance and love for the homeland was widely conveyed in Christmas services.

Such meetings need to be developed because they will erode prejudices, strengthen unity and foster peace.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis called for an end to various conflicts in the world so that people can live safely and peacefully.

The message was delivered by the Pope on the field of St. Peter\'s Church, the Vatican, Wednesday (25/12/2019). The message is known as the message for Cities and the World (Urbi et Orbi).

In his message, the Pope highlighted a number of issues, such as conflicts that occurred in the Middle East, the United States and Africa.

The pope also underlined the irony of the lives of migrants. Instead of finding acceptance, injustice is experienced throughout their journey, ranging from harassment, slavery, torture in detention camps, to death while crossing the ocean and desert.

The Pope also expressed hope for individuals in Congo, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Nigeria, who are persecuted for their religious faith.

Previously, at the Christmas Eve Mass, the Pope assured that God loved everyone. Accompanied by the classic Christmas song "The First Noel," the Pope walked down the central aisle of St. Peter\'s Basilica and revealed the statue of the baby Jesus at the foot of the altar.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

A churchgoer holds a lighted candle during Midnight Mass at midnight on Tuesday (24/12/2019) at Bethany Indonesia Church (GBI) on Jl. Nginden Intan Timur in Surabaya, East Java. The solemn service, which saw an estimated 35,000 Christians attend, was held and ended safely with the lighting of the candles.

"Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all, even the worst of us," Francis said. "You may have mistaken ideas, you may have made a complete mess of things, but the Lord continues to love you."

Meeting

After Christmas Mass at the Jakarta Cathedral, Catholics were visited by representatives of the Love Nation Society. The initiator of the community, Yudi Latif, said, if the interfaith friendship continues to be fostered, peace will be strengthened in a big house called Indonesia. "We must meet each other to erode prejudice and stigma. The meeting room must be developed," he said.

At the same time, the government must be perpendicular to the Constitution. "Never give room for certain groups to pressure other groups to practice worship because the state will lose credibility. If that\'s the case, anarchism will run rampant," Yudi said.

Meanwhile, a number of people calling themselves the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika Muslim Community unfurled a Christmas greeting poster 2019 on the sidewalk in front of the Cathedral. They greeted people who had finished worshiping.

Jakarta Archbishop Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo said the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood during Christmas was expected to be maintained throughout the country. "There are some cases (people have difficulty worshiping), that is indeed deplorable. However, such a thing should not obscure the already good conditions that are admired by our brothers and sisters abroad," he said.

Christmas is also a time to foster a sense of love for the country.

Christmas is also a time to foster a sense of love for the country. "The very contextual meaning of Christmas is caring for, developing the love of the country by trying to live as friends for everyone," Suharyo said.

Christmas celebrations in several regions, such as Medan, Bali, Bandung, Manado, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Banyuwangi and Papua, ran smoothly, peacefully and safely.

Jayapura Bishop Monsignor Leo Laba Ladjar said in his sermon that Christmas was not only a religious ritual that was celebrated every year but Christmas served as a moment to rebuild peace in the land of Papua.

In addition to helping the Indonesian National Police maintain Christmas security, Indonesian Military (TNI) soldiers enlivened Christmas by becoming Santa Claus and distributing Christmas trees in Eban village, West Miomaffo, Timor Tengah Utara regency. (AP/ADH/FAI/VAN/OKA/WSI/ETA/TAM/GER/EDN/COK)