"Build Christ's mission by being 100% Indonesian and 100% Catholic," say Indonesian Bishops

In his final statement on the 2022 synod, the President of the Indonesian Bishop's Conference (KWI), Bishop Antonius Subianto Benjamin, OSC, urged Indonesian Catholics to help build Christ's mission by showing the true face of the Indonesian Catholic Church.

"As one of the efforts to realize a truly synodal congregation, where fellowship, participation, and mission spirit are built together, we present an Indonesian Catholic Church that is 100% Indonesian and 100% Catholic," said Bishop Benjamin.

Bishop Benjamin said the Indonesian bishops' synod demonstrates the Holy Spirit's command. This shows that the Indonesian Catholic Church can show unity as a "miniature" Universal Church, where bishops from their dioceses gather in faith, hope, and love.

The prelate added that the gathering atmosphere, where people greet, listen to, and serve one another, shows the spirit of unity, cooperation, and mission.

"The spirit of unity is also clear in the accountability reports presented by the Commission, institutions, the secretariat, and department representatives," he said.

The bishop said that Pope Francis' Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium would help the Indonesian Catholic Church become more present, friendly, and open-hearted while also calling on the faithful to be Christ's mission. 

"The Indonesian Catholic Church really wants to be "salt" and "light" for society, wherever the Church is sent and is present," he said.

"The Indonesian Church plans to answer Pope Francis's call to Gaudete et Exultate (rejoice and be glad) for all Indonesians, especially the poor, weak, and forgotten, by having KWI service organizations, institutions, and departments do different kinds of service," he concluded.

The synod of bishops, with the theme "Walking Together to Realize Fellowship, Participation, and Mission," was held from November 14–18 in Bandung, Indonesia. -Kasmir Nema