West Java, nuns against corruption: a seminar to deepen awareness and initiatives
A group of 36 Franciscan Sisters of Sukabumi hold a three-day meeting. The event organized by Bhumiksara Foundation, in collaboration with the Bishops' Conference. Morality, intelligence and awareness against a "rampant" phenomenon.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - A seminar to kindle efforts promoted by the Indonesian Church against corruption, a phenomenon present in many areas that threatens to "destroy" public and social life in the country. This is how Sister Ludovica describes the three-day meeting and discussion promoted by Bhumiksara Foundation, in collaboration with the Bishops' Conference (KWI), on initiatives to fight corruption. An event, adds the religious, which could be very useful in novice formation for the order.
The event was held July 12 to 14 in St. Lidwina, Sukabumi Convent, West Java, and saw the participation of 36 Franciscan Sisters, under the leadership of the regional superior Sister Marietta. "Infusing this social awareness in young people - explains Sister Ludovica - is an important element to be addressed with the utmost urgency."
An opinion shared by Sister Zita, involved for some time in the education sector in Sragen, in central Java. "We need zero tolerance against corruption" warns the religious, particularly with regard to "apostolate" in the education sector where "there are many challenges for those who want to do good in society."
The seminar on corruption falls within the initiatives promoted by the Franciscan Sisters for the regional chapter, which began in February and will end in September. The goal is to "strengthen the moral" of religious and provide them with new weapons in the fight against corruption, a phenomenon that permeates daily life in their mission.
To promote the initiative was the same Superior, Sister Marietta, who wanted an "intellectual " but concrete approach, based on examples that occur in everyday life. Like many other social workers, even the sisters experience episodes and practices that can lead to phenomena of corruption. It is not uncommon in cases of requests for "favoritism" or accepting "gifts" from parents looking for special treatment for their children.
The seminar highlighted how fighting corruption is not an easy task in the face of a "rampant" phenomenon in society. This is why the fight must begin from within, it is a call to morality, to consciousness, to refrain from wrongdoing and from immoral practices.
Hence the proposal on four points elaborated by Fr. FX Adisusanto, member of Kwi: identify the problem, analyze the social context, reflect and then act according to their conscience. Christians in particular, warns the Jesuit priest, are called to "strengthen the moral in the society." A position shared by Royani Lim, Executive Director of Bhumiksara Foundation, which defines the seminar a "good opportunity" to disseminate knowledge in the fight against corruption.
In recent years in Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation in the world, the anti-corruption commission has performed a series of successes in the past three years, during which it was able to clamp down on bribery and malfeasance.
Some illustrious personages in the world's most populous Muslim nation have been caught in the KPK net, including some high-ranking officials in the country's justice system, politics and economy. For instance, a prominent minister in the previous government as well as the chief justice of the Constitutional Court have been arrested. The anticorruption agency uncovered scandals in the oil industry and the behind-the-scene intrigues that led to the re-election of a former governor of the Central Bank. Moreover, the issue of corruption has been one of the key topics of the last general and presidential elections.
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