President condemns violence in Christmas message

JAKARTA (UCAN) -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has condemned sectarian violence in his message at a national Christmas celebration.

Participants at the national Christmas celebration

“Let us get rid of any behavior that is against universal religious teachings,” he said, noting that such teachings “uphold truth, justice and responsibility.”

An angry mob recently attacked construction workers at St. Albert chapel building in Bekasi, West Java, causing around 60 million rupiah (US$6,200) worth of damage.

In his address at the Dec. 27 celebration, the president said “such violent acts overstep the limits of propriety” and go against the moral and ethical teachings “of all religions.”

Referring to the celebration’s theme, “The Lord is good to all (Psalm 145:9a),” President Yudhoyono told the 6,000 Christians gathered that it “gives an inspiration to all of us to always strengthen the spirit of togetherness, solidarity and partnership.”

He went on to say, “Let us respect the 1945 Constitution and Pancasila (five principles) as foundations of our lives.”

Pancasila, enshrined in the preamble to the 1945 Constitution, comprises belief in one God, a just and civilized humanity, the unity of Indonesia, democracy guided by consensus, and social justice for all.

The annual celebration is organized by a team consisting of both Catholics and Protestants with the minister of religious affairs and other government officials advising.

The chairman of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, Bishop Martinus Dogma Situmorang of Padang; Jesuit Cardinal Julius Darmaatmadja of Jakarta; and executive secretary of the Communion of Protestant Churches in Indonesia Reverend Gomar Gultom attended the event.

Government ministers and ambassadors also joined the celebration held at the Jakarta International Convention Centre.