The Indonesian Catholic Community Forum (Forum Masyarakat Katolik Indonesia or FMKI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the role of Catholic laity in civic and political affairs during its Special 12th National Meeting.
A total of 195 participants attended the meeting, representing FMKI chapters from dioceses, provinces, and districts across the country.
Also present were the founders of FMKI, representatives of lay organizations such as the Indonesian Catholic Women Association (WKRI), Catholic Youth (Pemuda Katolik), Indonesian Catholic Students Association (PMKRI), the Indonesian Catholic Academia Association (ISKA), diocesan lay commissions from 34 dioceses, and other Catholic lay communities.
During the conference, academic and former Deputy II at the Presidential Staff Office Yanuar Nugroho underscored FMKI’s critical role in defending democratic space amid growing threats.
“We are witnessing a systematic shrinking of civil space – freedom of expression is under threat, independent media is weakening, and criticism of authority is often seen as subversive,” said Yanuar.
“In this context, FMKI must evolve beyond being a discussion platform into an organized lay movement with a voice and impact in the public sphere,” he added.
He also raised concerns over declining governance, urging Catholic laity to act not only as members of the Church but also as active and responsible citizens, rather than remaining passive observers.
The three-day event centered around three key agendas: a national seminar on FMKI’s transformation, the drafting of the General Guidelines for FMKI, and the formation of a Working Body tasked with institutional reform and steering the forum’s future.
“This is not just an annual gathering; it is a concrete step toward building FMKI as a strategic platform for Catholic laity with the capacity for social and political engagement,” said Yulius Setiarto, FMKI’s National Secretary and member of the House of Representatives.
“The General Guidelines and the Working Body will serve as a new foundation for FMKI’s institutional growth,” he added.
The newly formed Working Body, comprising 27 members from various FMKI and Church-affiliated groups, is mandated to finalize the General Guidelines, complete legal preparations for registering FMKI as a legal entity, manage its institutional functions during the transition period, and organize the next national meeting by 2026.
Fr. Hans, Executive Secretary of the Commission for the Laity of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), welcomed the development as a concrete sign of synodality.
“The Church calls the laity to engage in apostolic work in the world. FMKI is a tangible expression of political apostolate, and it must be institutionalized seriously, professionally, and impactfully,” the priest said.
The forum concluded by affirming FMKI’s identity as the “common home” of Indonesian Catholic laity, with a renewed vision to serve not just as a platform for communication, but also as a vehicle for leadership development, policy advocacy, and engagement in both Church mission and democratic life.
“This revitalization of FMKI is refreshing. We hope it can unite diverse groups and foster a politically aware Catholic community—critical, solution-oriented, and grounded in the Church’s social teachings,” said Fr. Yohanes Dwi Harsanto, an FMKI representative from Yogyakarta and priest of the Archdiocese of Semarang.
