Catholic businessmen organise Christmas concert in Jakarta to support development programmes
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Christians attended in large numbers the 19th edition of the great Christmas concert in North Jakarta to bolster a sense of compassion and cooperation among Catholic businesspeople so that they can devote more attention, time and resources to their fellow citizens who often live in difficult conditions.
The event was sponsored by PUKAT KAJ, a business association set up by the Archdiocese of Jakarta. Many of its leading members from the capital came together on Wednesday (pictured).
The purpose of the evening was to raise funds and get new members to support projects and development in areas that are less fortunate than the rich provinces of Java. In particular, the focus was on initiatives already underway in Papua through close cooperation with local bishops.
Speaking to AsiaNews just before the concert, Michael Purnama Utama, a former Catholic priest who is now a high profile businessman, noted that PUKAT KAJ has made important contributions to the Indonesian Church. Its first chapter was established in Surabaya, East Java, in 1988, followed two years later by the one in Jakarta. More of them have been set up since then.
"We hope that through this wonderful Christmas concert all Catholic businesspeople can meet and socialise whilst boosting their commitment to the Church in Indonesia," he said.
Under the direction of Avip Priatna, the Jakarta Concert Orchestra performed accompanied by the Batavia Madrigal Singers and the Resonanz Children Choir.
The Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Antonio Guido Filippazzi, along with dozens of priests from the Archdiocese of Jakarta and the ambassadors of Russia, Lebanon, Switzerland and Denmark attended the event.
For PUKAT KAJ president Alex Paul Budiman Soerjadi, who was elected as the association's leader for three years in March 2013, two essential elements of Christian life - charity and compassion - underpin the association's activities. As Catholic businesspeople, "We are morally and spiritually obligated to do good to others," he explained.
The proceeds from the Christmas concert will be donated to the Diocese of Agats, in Papua province, where they will boost educational programmes in one of the country's poorest and toughest regions.
Since November 2011, Catholic businessmen have paid particular attention to the area, following a meeting with three Papuan prelates. Thanks to this intense and fruitful collaboration, Church and business leaders have been able to turn ordinary fund raisers into projects dedicated to long-term self-sufficiency.
"It is not good enough to give money and leave," said Marcus Linggo, a major Jakarta businessman. This is not "our way of working." Our goal are "more sustainable programmes with clear objectives to be achieved."
Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation in the world. Catholics are a small minority of about seven million, or 3 per cent of the population. In the Archdiocese of Jakarta, the faithful reach 3.6 per cent of the population.
Although the country's constitution recognises religious freedom, Catholics have been the victims of violence and abuse, especially in areas where extremist visions of Islam are entrenched, like Aceh.
Still, Catholics are an active component in society and contribute to the nation's development as well as to emergency operations when they arise, as was the case in last January's devastating flood.
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