Catholics and Protestants: pope's trip to Sweden "opens a new chapter of history"

For Agus Sriyono, Indonesian ambassador to the Holy See, "we must not forget differences but have a humble and friendly attitude towards Protestants, like that of the pope". For Rev Ishak Lambe, "Catholics and Lutherans face the same challenges” in today's world, and “must work hand in hand to find solutions".

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis’s trip to Sweden to mark the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation “opens a new chapter in history. I believe this is a symbol of the spirit of Catholic friendship and reconciliation towards the Lutheran Church," said Agus Sriyono, Indonesian ambassador to the Holy See since last February.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the diplomat noted that just a few decades ago, "relations between Catholics and Protestants were characterised by hostility and violence, the two sides looked inward to defend their ideas, views and opinions on what they thought right." However, Pope Francis "shows a different way of behaving: friendly, warm and at the same time humble."

Sriyono, who was educated at the Jesuit-run De Britto High School in Yogyakarta, hopes that "future relations between the two sides will further improve. It is not necessary to 'unite' different visions and ideas because differences exist, but there should be peaceful coexistence."

But that is not all. “We should learn something from the good relations that exist in Indonesia between the two Churches and from the Lutheran Church itself [. . .]. I am very concerned by the lack of biblical knowledge among our fellow Catholics. This is something we should learn from Protestants."

According to Rev Ishak Lambe, secretary general of the Indonesian Bible Institute and a former secretary general of the Indonesian Synod of Protestant Churches, the pope's trip to Lund and Malmö is part "of a story that is developing [in which] both sides involved are giving life to a new phase in their relations."

Both Catholics and the Protestants, the reverend added, "face the same challenges and must work together hand in hand to find solutions for a world that suffers from sectarianism, international terrorism, religious radicalism, social injustice and violence."

• indonesia
• vatican
• sweden
• pope francis
• catholics
• lutherans
• ambassador agus sriyono
• ishak lambe