2018 ‘Year of Unity’ for Indonesia’s Catholics

Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo has announced 2018 will be a ‘Year of Unity’ for the Archdiocese of Indonesia  as decided during the Nov 6 to 16 plenary assembly in Jakarta. 

For the Archbishop the Church of Jakarta  wishes to be the bearer of the joy of the Gospel, for the construction of the Kingdom of God, fulfilling the principles of the Pancasila (the Charter of the five principles of the nation, ndr), by respecting human dignity and safeguarding Creation.  The logo published  for the Year of Unity, and a slogan that illustrates it: "Let us put into practice the Pancasilla: in diversity, we are Indonesia", has an explicit reference to the contribution offered by Catholics to the nation.

The emphasis is placed on the unity of the Indonesian nation and on the bond that holds people of different culture, religion and language. In the symbol, there are two shapes that cross each other: the figure of the Virgin Mary embraces Garuda, a symbol of Indonesia. The broken egg from which the flying animal comes out represents "the resurrection of a united Indonesian nation and ready to defeat divisions", while the Virgin recalls "the prayer of the Church for the unity of the Republic of Indonesia". On the top there is a cross symbolizing "the presence of God who gives graces and blessings to the people".

In the logo the colours of the Indonesian flag, red and white, are used to represent "the vastness of the homeland, its cultural richness". In the drawing, one can also see two different colored hands intertwining, precisely to express the national motto "unity in diversity" and the will to "cooperate to build this country with love and faith in one God", with "the spirit and the courage to unite in the defense of the Pancasila and the Constitution".

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia is holding its Plenary Assembly focusing on the theme "To become a relevant and significant Church: the Church's call to purify the world".  (FIDES)