Professor Father Magnis: Relations Between Religions In Indonesia Are Getting Better

Eddy Wijaya and Father Magnis Suseno. (Doc Eddy Wijaya)

JAKARTA - Cross-Religious Figure, Professor Franz Magnis Suseno or who is familiarly called Romo Magnis admits the creation of good relations between Islamic and Christian figures in Indonesia in the last 5 decades. He considered this condition to be the basis for maintaining the unity of the Indonesian nation in the midst of widespread conflict on behalf of religion.

"It turns out that in the last 50 years the relationship between us Catholic and Muslim mainstream has also been getting better," said Father Magnis while talking to Eddy Wijaya on the EdShareOn podcast which aired on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. We can talk both with NU people (Nahdlatul Ulama) and with Muhammadiyah, if there is a problem we can talk about it together. So I think that is very important capital for Indonesia's future," he added.

According to Father Magnis, Indonesia is the most vulnerable nation to conflict between religions. However, this can be overcome because of the strong spirit of unity that Indonesians have. Indonesia is experiencing a dangerous threat but always comes out a little better. So in all these events (internal conflict), Indonesia is finally stronger. Now for example, Indonesia is experiencing various problems, but actually it doesn't have a unity problem," he said.

Father Magnis said that he and other Catholic figures such as the late Father Mangunwijaya during his lifetime had been aware of maintaining good relations between religious communities in Indonesia, as well as Islamic figures. "Don't let the relationship be in the form of a win-lose relationship, good for us, good for us bad for you, but need to build mutual trust. Also help people like Nurcholish Madjid let alone Gus Dur, and many others (Islamic figures)," said the Professor of the Filsafat Driyarkara College in Jakarta.

Not only Islamic figures, Father Magnis explained, Islamic community organizations are also involved in maintaining religious harmony in Indonesia, especially since there is a threat of transnational ideology such as ISIS and Boko Haram. Maybe also because of the Islamic mainstream, yes (for example) NU, Muhammadiyah, HMI (Islamic Student Association) is also there. I first met Islam with HMI, I was close. They realized that they had been hostile to transnational extremists because they were considered not the true Islam, "said the Catholic musician from Germany.

Therefore, Father Magnis hopes that religious communities in Indonesia will continue to tolerate each other and not link any conflict that occurs with religious issues. There will still be a definite terrorist attack. Also, if there is an incident of intolerance, it certainly should not be allowed but also not be exaggerated. Usually there are local reasons, for example, minorities in language and communication are also not smooth with indigenous people," he said.

Father Magnis: Most People Don't Believe Members Of The DPR

Cross-Religious Leader, Father Magnis, assessed that the cause of the explosion of the demonstration of the disbandment of the DPR in a number of parts of Indonesia was triggered by the distrust of most people towards legislators to represent their interests. According to him, the people's representatives seem like a group of people who only pursue positions and prioritize their personal interests.

What is clear is that most of the people do not see the DPR or DPRD as their representatives, but as elite groups who succeed in occupying wet places where we the people do not get it. Yes, by itself, if there is a certain reason it will explode (demonstration)," said Father Magnis to Eddy Wijaya.

The Catholic writer who was born in Eckersdorf, Sessionlia, Germany (now part of Poland) May 26, 1936, explained that public distrust occurred because of the rampant corruption cases committed by representatives of the people. How come people explode everywhere? There is in origin deep dissatisfaction. If 50 percent of the Indonesian people get the impression that Indonesia belongs to those above (public officials) who are getting richer and richer, whose corruption is not billions but trillions. It's terrible," said Father Magnis.

The demonstration that demanded that the DPR be dissolved took place from August 25 to early September 2025. The action, which initially protested the increase in salaries and allowances for members of the DPR, turned into looting of houses of a number of legislators. The looting occurred because of the attitude of the DPR members who were considered arrogant in responding to the community's protests

Who Is Eddy Wijaya Really, Here's The Profile

The figure of Eddy Wijaya is a podcaster who was born on August 17, 1972. Through the @EdShareOn YouTube account, Eddy interviewed many national figures ranging from state officials, legal experts, political experts, national politicians, to Indonesian celebrities. The man with the characteristics of the right cheek dimple is also a nationalist who is a struggling activist for discriminated and social observers by helping the community through the Wijaya Peduli Bangsa foundation.

He is also active in the field of sports by serving as the Daily Chair of the All-Indonesian Equestrian Sports Association (Pordasi) Pacu and has also served as Deputy Chairperson of the All-Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) East Jakarta. Eddy also serves as the Advisory Board of the Social Association of Marga Tionghoa Indonesia, the 2022-2026 term of service. His ideas were formed because of his hard work to be independent from the age of 13 years until his success as he is now. For Eddy, the world of work is not as smooth as imagined, failure and rejection are common. This is what makes him hold fast to the tagline Success is only a matter of time.