Yogakarta set to welcome youth from 29 countries for next Asian Youth Day
Pluralism of Indonesian society inspired the theme of the event. The Catholic Church in Asia in the wide variety of ethnic groups, languages and cultures. Msgr. Suharyo: "All participants deeply understand the importance of the concept of unity in diversity". Msgr. Prapdi: "Diversity is a priceless" social and cultural asset.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Three thousand young people from 29 Asian countries will take part in the 7th Asian Youth Day 2017, which will be held from July 30 to August 6 in Yogyakarta (Central Java), Indonesia. The appointment Indonesian edition for young Asian Catholics will have as central topic the spread of the spirit of pluralism, expressed by the theme: "Joyful Asian Youth! Living the Gospel in Multicultural Asia”."
The Catholic Church in Asia lives and bears witness to the faith in a wide variety of ethnic groups, languages and cultures. Indonesia is the place where such diversity also exists in society. The adoption and defense of the concept of "unity in diversity" is in fact the foundation of the Indonesian nation.
Msgr. Pius Riana Prapdi, president of the Youth Commission of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI KomKep) tells AsiaNews the theme of the 7th Asian Youth Day was chosen in agreement with the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).
The event will be an opportunity to live the daily experience of the Catholic Church in Asia and Indonesia: a pluralist society characterized by diversity of languages, cultures, traditions and values. The young people who will take part will have the opportunity to renew and strengthen their faith as disciples of Christ and become witnesses for others in the social context of Asia.
The Asian Youth Day in Yogyakarta follows, the one held in Daejeon (South Korea) three years ago. Msgr. Ignatius Suharyo, President of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI), explains that these events have the task of giving a strong boost to the morale of all young Asian Catholics in promoting a spirit of solidarity and generating positive values, as disciples of Christ and members of the Catholic Church. "As hosts - says Msgr. Suharyo - we hope that all participants deeply understand the importance of the concept of unity in diversity ".
Msgr. Prapdi emphasizes that diversity is a priceless social and cultural assest. It must be seriously defended and carefully maintained. The bishop's comments are in line with the concepts expressed by the more moderate part of Indonesian society, which in recent years has been opposed to the radical Muslim groups who deny the pluralistic reality of the country.
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13/05/2017 10:31
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