Pope Francis last Wednesday urged political leaders in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, to guard against religious extremism, which he said distorted people’s religious beliefs through “deception and violence”.
In his first speech during a12-day journey across Southeast Asia, where Christians are a small minority of the regional population, the Pontiff said the Catholic Church would increase its efforts toward inter-religious dialogue in hopes of helping tamp down extremism.
“In this way, prejudices can be eliminated, and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow,” the 87-year-old Pope said in an address to some 300 politicians and religious leaders at Jakarta’s Merdeka Presidential Palace.
“This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence,” said Francis.
Indonesia has a population of about 280 million people and is estimated to be about 87% Muslim. Freedom of religion is guaranteed in the country’s constitution.
There have been several incidents of extremist violence in the country in recent years, including suicide bomb attacks in 2021 and 2022 by persons affiliated with the Islamic State-inspired group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD).
The 2021 incident took place just before the Christian Easter holiday, and wounded at least 19 people.
In his own speech welcoming the Pope to Indonesia, President Joko Widodo thanked Pope Francis for his efforts to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.
“Indonesia appreciates the Vatican’s attitude which continues to voice (and) call for peace in Palestine, and supports a two-state solution,” said Widodo, who is stepping down in October after 10 years in office.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told journalists that Pope Francis and President Widodo had not spoken specifically about the Israel-Gaza war in their meeting, but more generally about ongoing conflicts and “the importance of peace”.
In his public remarks, Pope Francis did not mention any specific violent incidents, but made several references to extremism, intolerance and manipulation of religion.
“There are times when faith in God is … sadly manipulated to foment divisions and increase hatred instead of furthering peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation and fraternity,” said the Pontiff. Reuters
