Catholics in Indonesia were urged to safeguard national unity, uphold moral values, and contribute to the country’s development during a national symposium in Jakarta on Oct. 24.
The call was made during the 2026 National Symposium of the Indonesian Catholic Community Forum, or FMKI, held under the theme “FMKI Moving Forward with Urgency – Loving Indonesia: Nurturing Wisdom, Upholding the Republic’s Civic Values.”
The National Executive Board of FMKI organized the gathering in collaboration with three commissions of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, or KWI: the Commission for the Lay Apostolate, the Commission for Interreligious Relations and Beliefs, and the Commission for Social Communications.
Loving Indonesia as a historical responsibility
Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo said love for Indonesia is inseparable from the practice of the Catholic faith.
He pointed to the Catholic Church in Indonesia’s special Eucharistic Prayer for the Nation, which expresses gratitude for major moments in the country’s history, including the National Awakening, the Youth Pledge and the adoption of Pancasila as the foundation of the state.
According to Cardinal Suharyo, Indonesia’s history is celebrated as part of God’s saving work, giving Catholics a historical responsibility to continue protecting and building the nation.
He also recalled the legacy of Bishop Albertus Soegijapranata, SJ, known for the motto “100% Catholic, 100% Indonesian,” and Father Frans van Lith, SJ, who showed solidarity with the Indigenous population during the colonial period.
Cardinal Suharyo said their example should continue to inspire Catholics in their commitment to the country.
He also referred to the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference’s 1997 pastoral message, “Concerns and Hopes” (Keprihatinan dan Harapan), which raised concerns over moral decline in Indonesian society.
The cardinal said the Church has a responsibility to speak according to its moral conscience for the good of the nation.
He said that responsibility was reaffirmed in the KWI pastoral message issued in July 2026 and encouraged Catholics to continue discussing and sharing the message within their communities.
Character building and servant leadership
Professor Purnomo Yusgiantoro, special presidential adviser on energy, also addressed challenges facing Indonesia as it works toward its Golden Indonesia 2045 vision.
He said national development must rest on four pillars: human development and mastery of science and technology, sustainable economic development, equitable development, and stronger national resilience and governance.
Purnomo said Indonesia faces increasingly complex challenges, including geopolitical changes, economic crises, social conflicts, environmental concerns and technological developments.
He stressed the importance of nation and character building through education, integrity, moral values and critical thinking.
He also said such efforts require collaboration among government institutions, academics, businesses, civil society organizations and other sectors of society.
Purnomo highlighted servant leadership, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 20:26–27.
The former Indonesian energy minister, who later served as defense minister, said leaders must have vision, integrity and the ability to inspire and develop others.
He said leadership is not merely about exercising authority but also about the willingness to serve.
Constructive and critical partners
Purnomo said Catholics who embrace the identity of being 100 percent Catholic and 100 percent Indonesian have a role in bridging religious and national values.
He said Catholics are called to promote love, justice and peace while serving as constructive and critical partners of the government and working with all people of goodwill.
He encouraged FMKI members to uphold integrity, respect for others, responsibility, accountability, trust and cooperation.
The symposium called on Catholics to move beyond reflection and take concrete action to strengthen national unity, nurture wisdom and help build a just, peaceful and dignified society.
