Indonesia: Vatican Ambassador tells the Bishops, "Let's journey together in brotherhood and closeness"

The Vatican's ambassador to Indonesia, Archbishop Piero Pioppo, urged the country's bishops to travel together in a spirit of brotherhood based on Christ and in unity with the Holy Father.

This message was given by Archbishop Pioppo on November 14 in Bandung, Indonesia, at the Synodal Opening of the 2022 Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI).

The Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI) is having an ongoing synod meeting with the theme "Walking Together to Realize Fellowship, Participation, and Mission" from November 14–18 in Bandung, Indonesia.

“There are many ways that our brotherhood and closeness bring us together and motivate us to work in the Lord's vineyard together," Archbishop Pioppo said. 

He said that all of this is being done so that the many different communities of the island state can stay together, be strong, and thrive in every area.

In keeping with church tradition, the archbishop also told the bishops to stay always in touch with the Pope. 

"I want to assure you that the Holy Father's heart is with us, and I am certain that the hearts of the churches in Indonesia are with the Pope as well," he said.

The archbishop also praised the efforts of the Indonesian bishops to help people in faraway places during the pandemic.

"In the name of the Holy Father," Archbishop Pioppo said, "I want to thank each of you for being close to your flock during those difficult months when it was hard to bring parish and diocesan communities together or to physically reach out to the stations, those places where people expect to see the bishop."

"I also ensure that I continue to visit you at your local church in order to encourage you and be encouraged by you while I pursue my mission,” he concluded. 

At the KWI Synodal opening ceremony, there were as many as 31 bishops, 2 emeritus bishops, and 1 diocesan administrator, Gomar Gultom, the Chairman of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia, AM Adiyarto Sumardjono, the Director General of Catholic Community Guidance, and other mission partners.

Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, KWI’s president told the bishops that they should be thankful for the chance to be at that synodal assembly.

"After completely cancelling the 2020 Annual Session and holding a very streamlined Annual Session in 2021, we can meet offline again this year, even though the COVID-19 epidemic has not passed," Cardinal Suharyo said.- Kasmir Nema