The 75th anniversary of Caritas Internationalis and the 20th anniversary of the solidarity foundation promoted by the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference were marked on the island of Flores with a Mass and a gathering presided over by Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi. In the spirit of the encyclical “Laudato Si’”, the gathering brought together local farmers involved in the Harvest Programme, which aims to build independent and sustainable communities.
A new report highlights coordinated online campaigns against voices critical of the government, whether media outlets or NGOs, following Prabowo Subianto’s accession to the presidency. Accounts linked to the military have spread accusations of being “foreign agents”, with consequences including violence, whilst major social media platforms have refrained from intervening.
The blast occurred in the courtyard of St Paul's Church, Intan Jaya Regency, shortly after Sunday Mass. The injured are all civilians from the local community. Indonesian authorities have not yet clarified the origin of the device, delivered by a drone, nor identified those responsible. Meanwhile, fighting between separatists and Indonesian forces intensifies.
Directed by two young filmmakers, the documentary reveals how slogans such as “food security” and “energy transition” mask colonial exploitation, against which local indigenous communities have already erected hundreds of crosses in protest. Screenings and debates have been forcibly disrupted even in various Indonesian cultural institutions. But ‘the case’ is sparking growing public interest.
Labour Day celebrations across Asia were dominated by the impact of the Gulf crisis on local economies. Prabowo also announced new regulations strengthening protections for delivery riders. In Singapore, Prime Minister Wong urged the public to prepare for prolonged economic hardship. In Sri Lanka, celebrations were organised by the Christian Workers’ Fellowship.
A solemn celebration led by Cardinal Suharyo commemorated the solemn consecration that took place in 1901. The large neo-Gothic church designed by architect Father Antonius Dijkmans, SJ, was recognised as a National Cultural Heritage Site in 2018. “Caring for creation, cultivating faith" is the motto that sums up the spirit of the anniversary.
