Religious leaders see papal visit to Indonesia will further strengthen interfaith relations

Catholic and Muslim leaders believe Pope Francis’ recent visit to Indonesia would make the rapport among religions in the country stronger.

Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD, of the Ende Archdiocese in Flores said the pope’s visit was “very significant” for the Catholic church in Indonesia as well as for the country.

“It’s an acknowledgment of the contribution of the Catholic Church in Indonesia not only to the Indonesian people but also to the universal church,” he said in an interview with Father Kasmir Nema, SVD, of Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) on September 5, 2024.

The papal visit was also an “opportunity to experience the hospitality of Indonesians," the archbishop noted.

Pope Francis’ visit would maintain and further make robust the prevailing religious “harmony” and “tolerance” in the country, a Muslim leader said.

Many people and religious leaders were eager to join the occasion of the interfaith dialogue with the pope, he said.

The Muslim leader referred to Pope Francis as “our Pope” and said he was “very welcome in Indonesia, the world’s largest country in terms of Muslim population.

“The significance of Pope Francis' visit is that it will reinforce the very good relations that now exist among the religions in Indonesia,” said Fr. Franz Magnis-Suseno, SJ to RVA. “For the Indonesians it is a kind of recognition that Indonesia is a place where religions peacefully live together.”

The recent papal visit would enliven the Catholics and renew their faith, the German priest added.

The relations between Christians and Muslims in Indonesia for the past 50 years was strong, Magniz-Suseno said. 

“The visit of the pope would reinforce” the good relations between Christians and Muslims, he noted. “For us Catholics, it is important to always stay in communication with our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

According to Magniz-Suseno, the pope’s meeting with different religious leaders would not only strengthen the relations between the Catholics and Muslims but would also give Catholics “optimism for their future in Indonesia.”

The pope visited Indonesia on September 3-6 before he flew to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore this year.