Indonesian Catholic business people hold conference, elect new president (photos)

by Mathias Hariyadi

Robert Hadi will lead the association for the 2019-2022 period, continuing in the footsteps of Ferdinandus Ferry Jusuf. Some 56 people from 11 ecclesiastical districts were present at the event. Archbishop Subianto calls for attention to “neighbours and local communities" and love “for others”.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Robert Hadi, the newly elected president of the Association of Catholic professionals and business people of Indonesia (Profesional Dan Usahawan Katolik, PUKAT), told AsiaNews that spirit, organisation and synergy "are not concepts, but actions".

Founded 31 years ago and present in 21 dioceses of the country, PUKAT held its third national conference (Konvenas Pukat) in Bandung, capital of West Java province, with the participation of 56 people from 11 ecclesiastical districts. Two professionals from neighbouring Thailand were also present.

Members elected their new president. Robert Hadi will lead the group for the coming three-year period (2019-2022), following in the footsteps of Ferdinandus Ferry Jusuf.

"The conference’s goal was to raise the morale of its members and lay the foundations for greater collaboration to improve the quality of our work," Hadi said.

PUKAT regional chapters implement programmes and undertake initiatives according to the needs of their respective diocese.

"For this reason, it is clear to everyone that coordination and cooperation are urgent matters. In this regard, we have identified nine emergencies, which we must address as soon as possible,” Hadi added.

Mgr Antonius Franciskus Subianto Bunyamin, bishop of Bandung and general secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (KWI), attended the meeting.

The prelate urged participants to pay particular attention to their "neighbours and local communities".

"You are called to love Jesus Christ and the Church more than anything else," he said. “But if you love them, then you must have compassion for others."