by Mathias Hariyadi

Joko Widodo pays a courtesy call to the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, where he met with its president, Archbishop of Jakarta Mgr Suharyo. Padang bishop tells AsiaNews that his election is "a blessing" that brings a "new national spirit", "unity of the people" and "social ethics" to the country.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Indonesia's president-elect, Joko Widodo, paid a visit to the headquarters of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI) to thank the Catholic Church for encouraging its followers to exercise "with conscience and freedom" their right to vote during the presidential elections last 9 July.

Widodo, also known as "Jokowi", met with Mgr Ignatius Suharyo, the KWI president and archbishop of Jakarta, together with priests in charge of the various national commissions.

"I am really grateful that this blessing fell upon our nation, i.e. Jokowi's election as president, " Mgr Martinus D. Situmorang, bishop of Padang and former president of the Bishops Conference, told AsiaNews. "I am convinced by his actions and his personality that he will use power for the good of the people, without preferences or personal interests."

"He is the right man," the prelate said, "and I hope he becomes a model for Indonesian politicians, working for social prosperity, justice, the rule of law and the unity of the people. A new national spirit is emerging, a common sense of belonging and a new social ethics."

"My only hope is that the vision and mission of the new president can become a reality while in power," said Wiwiek D. Santosa, an entrepreneur and Catholic activist.

"We want Indonesian leaders to pay attention to the common good and not focus on benefits that politics can bring to individual leaders."

• indonesia
• president
• elect
• widowo
• bishops