Pope Invites All Parties to Build Trust

AFP/ANDREAS SOLARO

Pope Francis sprinkles attendees with water during the Easter Sunday mass on April 9, 2023 at St. Peter's square in The Vatican, as part of celebrations of the Holy Week.

VATICAN CITY, SUNDAY — Pope Francis has once again voiced concern about the world situation. After leading Easter Mass at Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican on Sunday (9/4/2023), he delivered his traditional Urbi et Orbi(for the city and the world) blessing.

The Pope mentioned the war in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The refugee crisis, including Rohingya refugees, also attracted his attention.

With regard to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, the Pope invited all parties to build a climate of trust. In relation to the war in Ukraine, the Pope invited the world to help the people of that country.

"Treat the injured and those who have lost loved ones in the war, and let prisoners return to survive and be healthy with their families," the Pope told tens of thousands of people in Saint Peter’s Square.

Sowing peace

In this country, Easter was also expected to be an opportunity to sow peace, especially in conflict areas, such as Papua. Jayapura Bishop Mgr. Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You said Easter should be an opportunity to create peace in the land of Papua.

"Do not pollute Easter with conflicts that continue to occur in the land of Papua. Easter must be a moment to foster a culture of peace and brotherhood," said Yanuarius yesterday.

He urged the warring parties to stop the conflict. The conflict caused civilians to become victims.

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> Remembering the Ones Who Are Suffering

> Easter a Time to Create Peace

Based on Kompas data for the January-April 2023 period, seven acts of terror by armed criminal groups (KKB) occurred in Puncak, Nduga, Puncak Jaya and Yahukimo regencies. These four regions are scattered among the two provinces newly created at the end of 2022, namely Central Papua and Papua Highlands.

The acts resulted in the deaths of six civilians and four members of the security forces. One KKB member was killed in a shootout with security forces in Puncak.

"Both of the warring parties must prioritize humanitarian pauses to stop conflict. Let's sit together in dialogue in order to resolve the conflict," said Yanuarius.

KOMPAS/FABIO MARIA LOPES COSTA

Easter torch relay by hundreds of people of different religions in Malalagusa Village, Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, Sunday (9/4/2023). Malalagusa is known as the Village of Harmony because the people have a strong attitude of religious tolerance and there are houses of worship for Christians, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists.

Easter should also be a time to celebrate diversity. In Malagusa village, Sorong regency, Southwest Papua, known as Kampung Harmony, the community held an Easter torch parade on Sunday, at 3 a.m. local time. The parade not only welcomed Easter, but also helped wake Muslims for their predawn meals before fasting.

At least 300 residents of Kampung Harmony followed the Easter torch parade. They walked around the village roads for about 1 kilometer. In this village there are Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist places of worship. The village has been designated as a village of harmony since 5 September 2022.

"Residents participated in the Easter torch parade on foot from two locations, Pura Jagat Sari and Buddhist Sasana Wihara. Residents from these two locations also met at the entrance of Kampung Harmony," said the secretary of Kampung Harmony, Petrus Sugiyono.

Larantuka

In Larantuka, East Nusa Tenggara, Catholics took the opportunity of Easter to renew themselves as better human beings for their fellow men and the universe.

The message was delivered by Fr. RD Yohan Odel in the Easter celebration at San Juan Lebao church, Larantuka, on Sunday. He said the resurrection of Jesus was the work of God's salvation. The moment when Jesus was sentenced to death, tortured, died on the cross, buried and rose again was a path of suffering to atone for the sins of mankind.

"The resurrection announces the love taught by Jesus, a time of self-improvement to be better than before," Yohan said.

KOMPAS/FRANSISKUS PATI HERIN

The procession of the statue of Mary or around the center of the city of Larantuka, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, on Friday (7/4/2023) evening. The people paraded in a solemn atmosphere interspersed with prayers and singing.

According to him, the teachings of love must be realized in everyday life. Loving others as one loves oneself, without looking back, and unconditionally. Easter was also the culmination of the celebration of Holy Week in Larantuka. Holy Week is a time of devotion to remember Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection. Devotions were carried out by a number of tribes in Larantuka.

We have long wanted to come here only to have it come true this time.

Larantuka priest RD Hendrik Leni thanked the parties involved in completing the sacred activity. Holy Week had only resumed again after being suspended for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This Holy Week was filled with pilgrims. Pilgrims from outside the region numbered 7,000 people. "The most memorable spiritual tourism experience. We have long wanted to come here only to have it come true this time," said Novita (55), a pilgrim from Jakarta. (AP/AFP/REUTERS)

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.