Indonesian elections are an opportunity to boost the Catholic presence in the country's life
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Indonesia will hold local elections at the end of this year. Hundreds of districts, provinces and regencies will provide a major opportunity for Catholics and the Church to make themselves and their values felt in the country's political and civic life.
With this in mind, Indonesia's Catholic bishops have decided, after years on the sidelines, to encourage Catholics to run for office and play a role in the country's governance.
A seminar led by Fr Guido Suprapto, executive secretary of the Commission for the Lay Apostolate (Komisi Kerawam) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Indonesia (Konferensi Waligereja Indonesia or KWI), was held last Friday, at the Bishops' central offices in Jakarta.
The initiative's aim was to encourage Catholics' sense of civic duty and culture, in particular among those who are directly involved in various organisations and associations, who are tasked with promoting the Church's message of hope and change in society and politics.
Local elections are scheduled for December in 8 Indonesian provinces, 26 regencies and 170 districts. The vote will be a fundamental test to evaluate the place Christians can play in the nation's civic and political life.
Last Friday's meeting sought, among other things, to raise the visibility of Catholic politicians and administrators who are running for office on various party tickets.
Local church leaders support Catholics' involvement in politics, hopeful that, after the elections, more of them will be involved in leading positions in parties as well as elected officials. At the same time, the prelates hope to see Catholic candidates speak as one rather than fight over the spoils of power.
Tommy Legowo, a leading analyst with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), one of the country's foremost research institutes, attended the Komisi Kerawam- sponsored seminar.
In his address, he stressed that local elections at the end of the year will be a crucial test for those running for office in mayoral and district races. Hence, he urged Catholic politicians and administrators to be "strong, smart and responsible" and promote "the message and values of the Church in society."
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, Christians represent 5.7 per cent of the population with Catholics just over 3.6 per cent.
Catholics are an active component in society. Over the years, they have contributed to the nation's development and played a major role in emergency operations, as was the case during the devastating floods of January 2013.
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