Visiting Jakarta Cathedral, Mahfud MD Gives Touching Message About Christmas 2021

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD stated that the 2021 Christmas celebration was a momentum for the unity of the people.

This was conveyed by Mahfud while reviewing the readiness of the 2021 Christmas Eve and Christmas Mass at the Cathedral, Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta, Friday, December 24.

During his visit, Mahfud was accompanied by the Commander of the Police Mobile Brigade Corps (Dankorbrimob) Inspector General Anang Revandoko, Kasdam Jaya Brigadier General Bobby Rinal Makmun, Central Jakarta Police Chief Kombes Hengki Haryadi, and Central Jakarta Mayor Dhany Sukma.

The arrival of Mahfud was received directly by the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Jakarta (KAJ) Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo.

"Today I am going to the Cathedral because tomorrow is Christmas Day and in particular I want to first see whether there are any disturbances or obstacles to the implementation of worship. Everything has been going well so far," Mahfud said as quoted by Antara.

Mahfud and his entourage entered the hall or main room of the Jakarta Cathedral, before the congregation began the face-to-face worship of the 2022 Christmas Eve Mass which began at 17.30 WIB.

In his remarks, Mahfud emphasized that Christmas is a holiday momentum that carries a message of peace. He wants people to make Christmas a momentum for Indonesia's life as a nation-state and united in diversity.

"It's not just tolerance that we just want to build, but more than that acceptance, acceptance, not just understanding that people have differences but working together for mutual progress," said Mahfud.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of the Archdiocese of Jakarta (KAJ) Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo said that this year, the Christmas message conveyed was Christ's Love Moves Brotherhood.

"It is very important to underline the word move. We hope that with the inspiration of Christmas, it will appear not only at Christmas times but throughout the history of our nation, a movement to care for and build brotherhood," said Ignatius.