The bishop of Bandung (West Java), "the actions of the Pope in Sweden are not only just presence, but were made with the real intention to unite all the disciples of Christ." In fact, "Catholics and Protestants have a duty to show the merciful 'face' of God, creating paths for which the world may know that God became flesh to save everyone."
Msgr. Subianto confirms what a few days ago Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, president of the Indonesian Synod of Protestant Churches (PGI), told AsiaNews: "In Indonesia the KWI and PGI share much of their work, have had good relationships and joint working team for decades. The Kwi always invites Protestant representatives to its annual meeting, inviting them to take action. "
At the basic level of each diocese, the bishop continued, "Catholics and Protestants often work in different fields and according to the needs of each community. Catholic priests and Protestant pastors are on good terms, despite some incidents committed by bad people on both sides, which are opposed to ecumenism ".
Msgr. Subianto’s hope "it is that all who believe in Christ - the Christian communities, both Catholic and Protestant - put their faith into practice in real actions of mercy and humility." In this way "both sides will become agents of development for Indonesia and make country and civil society more prosperous and ensure that human rights are respected."