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Indonesia invites Vatican to promote humanitarian values
Looking to expand its cooperation with Vatican City, particularly in the promotion of humanitarian values, Indonesia is reaffirming its longstanding diplomatic ties with the European city-state, a minister has said.
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Holy diplomacy: Vatican ambassador to Indonesia archbishop Piero Pioppo (right) and Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif talk at the Vatican Embassy building after a celebration the 6th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis in Jakarta on Thursday evening. (JP/Dionnasius Aditya)
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ndonesia is looking to expand its cooperation with Vatican City – particularly in promoting humanitarian values – as Indonesia reaffirms its longstanding diplomatic ties with the European city-state, a minister has said.
Speaking on behalf of the Indonesian government, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif said Indonesia highly valued its bilateral relations with the Vatican, citing the two nations’ common values of peace, humanity, inclusiveness and freedom.
Indonesia has recognized the support that the Vatican, home to more than eight million Catholics, has given to Indonesian churches, Arifin said, underlining its role as one of Indonesia’s closest partners in promoting interfaith dialogue and religious pluralism.
Arifin was of the opinion that the future bilateral collaboration should address the rise of radicalism and hatred.
“I sincerely hope that the cooperation between Indonesia and the Holy See can be further expanded, particularly to promote humanity and prosperity,” Arifin said at the reception for the 6th anniversary of the election of Pope Francis at the Embassy of the Holy See in Jakarta.
The newly appointed minister also commended the Vatican for hosting a landmark conference on poverty and agriculture last year in Rome. The conference aimed to assess and promote concrete activities to eradicate poverty and to ensure peace by making use of the agriculture and plantation industry.
The Thursday evening event was attended by many guests, from diplomatic representatives to religious and government institutions.
