Pastors, bishops hold congress in Yogyakarta

YOGYAKARTA: Seventy-two pastors, four bishops, and a papal nuncio from the Vatican are leading thousands of Catholics in a three-day Eucharistic congress held in Yogyakarta from Friday to Sunday.

The participants have been divided into three groups.

The first group will hold their meeting at the Hati Kudus Tuhan Yesus (HKTY) Church in Ganjuran, Bambanglipuro, Bantul. The second group is meeting at the Pugeran Church, Yogyakarta, while the third group, which comprise youths, is to meet at Sedayu Church in Kulonprogo.

“This is not a congress to elect executives, but, among other things, will discuss the nation’s social condition,” Aris Dwiyanto of HKTY Church said in Bantul, Friday.

Aris said that after individual opening ceremonies, pastors would meet until Saturday night at their respective venues. The closing ceremony, however, will be centralized at HKTY Church.

Separately, Sujud of the congress’ organizing committee said that participants were staying in local people’s houses to give them an opportunity to better understand the social conditions of the community.

Bambanglipuro precinct commander Adj. Comr. Muryanto said that different community groups were also helping with congress security, such as Karangtaruna volunteers and members of Bantul Banser, the youth wing of Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

“We will secure the venue prior to the peak of the congress on Monday,” Muryanto said.