Pope's call for social justice strikes same chord as Indonesia's leaders

Jokowi and top imam also stress need for religious tolerance and end to hostilities

- Wong Pei Ting

Correspondent JAKARTA - As he left Indonesia for Papua New Guinea on Sept 6, Pope Francis left little doubt that he had accomplished a mission he had set out at the onset of his 12-day AsiaPacific tour.

This was to send an unequivocal message that the world rejects those who use religion to wage war, and to urge people of all faiths to build open societies predicated on trust and respect as fellow travellers in search of God.

His message was impactful not just solely from the strength of his convictions, but also because it struck the same chord as remarks made by outgoing Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and the country's top imam Nasaruddin Umar.

The Pope did not mention the Israeli-Palestinian conflict even once in his speeches. But his exhortation was loud and clear: A society has to be built on social justice - the idea that everyone deserves equal access to things like economic opportunities and political rights - and religion is never a reason for closemindedness or confrontation.

Social justice was the main theme in the 87-year-old pontiff's first speech in Jakarta on Sept 4, which he gave at the presidential palace before an audience that included both Mr Widodo and Presidentelect Prabowo Subianto.

A lack of "true and forward-looking commitment” in bringing about social justice is why a considerable part of humanity is today left on the margins, with neither a dignified existence nor any defence against serious social imbalances that trigger acute conflicts, the Pope said.

Such conflicts are also caused by the absence of mutual respect, and the intolerant desire to let "one's own interests (and) partial historical narrative prevail at all costs" even when they lead to bloodshed and suffering for entire communities, he added.

Forerunning this message was Mr Widodo, who noted Indonesia's appreciation for the Vatican's continued calls for peace in Palestine and support for a two-state solution.