Pope Francis’ visit to Sweden "is good news that comes from the
Vatican. It is an important moment for the Catholic Church and for the Protestant Church, the Pope shows his magnanimity and humility in going to Lund after being invited by the Lutheran World Federation", says Rev. Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, president of the Indonesian Synod of Protestant Churches (PGI), commenting to AsiaNews on the journey of Pope Francis to Sweden, to attend the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation.
She continues “I am very moved by the Pope’s decision and his actions that relentlessly seek reconciliation, good relations and cooperation with other Christian communities. His actions are a good example for us and we have to follow them. " As for the words uttered by the Pope during the trip, "I was struck when he said: 'Let us abandon the language of condemnation and embrace that of mercy'."
Henriette Hutabarat-Lebang, a native Toraja (South Sulawesi) graduated from the School of Theology of Central Jakarta and obtained a master's degree in theology at Richmond University. She was director of the Theological Institute of Toraja Churches from 2006 to 2010 and general secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia.
The spirit of unity among Christians, says the Protestant leader, is exemplified in Indonesia by the relationship between the Catholic Bishops Conference (KWI) and PGI. Hutabarat-Lebang was invited to attend the 31 October opening of the KWI assembly. On that occasion she says: "I had the strong impression that this kind invitation was a good sign for both sides, to achieve a more effective and fruitful cooperation ".
The common path between Catholics and Protestants, said the woman, "is a step forward in spreading the Good News to the world, in a situation in which people stay in their respective corners and look with suspicion and in an increasingly hostile manner at one another. "
Cooperation between PGI and KWI, recalled the Protestant leader, has continued for decades and every year the two bodies publish a joint message for Christmas and for the New Year: "I am personally enriched by dozens of meetings and discussions I have played a part in with commission of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity, as well as the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC). "
This ongoing joint work, "has meant that PGI and KWI share in the search to find a solution to Indonesia's social problems".