Youths mark 50 years of Church hierarchy in Indonesia

(July 12, 2011): To mark the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the Indonesian Church’s hierarchy, a week-long celebratory camp is organisedd by St. Joseph the Worker Church in Kupang, capital of East Nusa Tenggara province. It has gathered about 1,000 youths from all the country’s 12 mission stations.
The Indonesian Church as an institution was made official with the issuance of “Quod Christus Adorandus” by Pope John XXIII on January 3, 1961.
Since papal approval 50 years ago, the institution has developed into a mature community and has been able to have local pastoral workers (clergy and laity) that support the growth as a “true Church of Christ.”
Father Kristoforus R. Muda, the parish youth moderator, said the July 9-16 event titled “May They All Unite” features various activities such as charity work, tree planting, organic fertilizer making, cookery classes, sports competitions and a singing contest.
Parish priest Father Maximus Un Bria said although the camp is meant to be a celebration, he reminded everyone not to ignore its spiritual message.
“Do not just see this event as an opportunity to meet others. Instead, see it as an effort to boost brotherhood and togetherness and to deepen our love of the Church and the nation,” he said.