Indonesian Bishops organizes workshop on religious moderation

Indonesian Bishops’ (KWI) Commission on Interreligious Relations and Beliefs (HAK) convened a national conference (Pernas)  on religious moderation at the Mercure Hotel in Bali, Indonesia, beginning from March 6-9.

Bishop Yohanes Harun Yuwono, head of the HAK’s KWI commission, urged the Indonesian people to continue making their lives more peaceful and harmonious.

"Let us strive diligently to construct a life of harmony, peace, and togetherness so that we can live together and pass on our way of life to the next generation," Bishop Yuwono said.

Indonesian HAK commissioners attended the symposium with a theme: Strengthening Religious Moderation: Building Peaceful and Inclusive Communities for Sustainable Development.

Yakut Cholil Qoumas, the Republic of Indonesia's Minister of Religion, participated in the symposium on religious moderation.

"This conference is crucial to me. My association with Catholics has lasted a long time, right up to the point that I became a Religious minister,” Qoumas said.

Additionally, Qoumas stated that "the language of being 100 percent Catholic and 100 percent Indonesian is unique since it demonstrates both the strength of one's religion and his devotion for his nation and state."

Qoumas reminded conference participants that Indonesian entities are various. If they are not handled properly, there are still groups that believe they are correct.

“This is concerning,” Qoumas noted.

Father Agustinus Heri Wibowo, the committee's chairman and Executive Secretary of the KWI HAK Commission, explained that the topic was chosen to examine how the Catholic Church cares for the country and how this has evolved into a vehicle for the church to promote religious moderation in Indonesia.

"This is part of our (the Catholic church's) obligation in achieving 100 percent Catholic and 100 percent Indonesian," Father Wibowo explained.

The National Symposium offers resources that allow for a detailed examination of the subject of religious moderation.

Wawan Djunaedi, the Center for Religious Harmony director, spoke about the critical nature of having religious leaders who have a "substantive-inclusive" understanding of religion.

Gus Sholeh spoke on the topic of unpacking assumptions constructing views. Paulus Tasik Galle explored sketches of religious life and a road plan for religious moderation in Indonesia. Alisa Wahid, a woman who spoke on the importance of moderation to maintain Indonesia's variety.

Gus Sholeh stated that moderation of religion is the first step toward resolving issues with religious life in Indonesia and fostering the birth of a harmonious and peaceful Indonesia.

"We hope that through this religious moderation, Indonesia can become a haven of peace in the world," he said.