History Of Two Vatican Whales To Indonesia: An Important Moment Of Alignment Of Religious Harmony In The New Order Era

President Soeharto welcomed Pope Paul VI's arrival in 1970. (Perpusnas)

JAKARTA - The relationship between Indonesia and Vatikan has been in collaboration for a long time. The great leader of the world's Catholics has even prayed for Indonesia's struggle to defend independence in the Revolutionary War. The desire to bring the Pope to Indonesia emerged in 1966.

In fact, this wish was realized in the New Order era (Orba). Pope Paul VI became the first to come in 1970. Then, Pope John Paul II came to Indonesia in 1989. This important momentum became the glue of religious harmony in Indonesia.

The first Indonesian National Police Chief, General Raden Said Soekanto Tjokrodiatmodjo became the first Indonesian envoy to meet the great leader of the Catholics, Pope Pius XII. Soekanto's arrival with a mandate from the Vice President, Bung Hatta to the Vatican in the context of a diplomatic mission in 1948.

At that time, Indonesia needed a lot of international support in order to maintain independence. In particular, Pope Pius XII supported and prayed for Indonesia's struggle. Bung Karno tried the closeness of Indonesia-Vatikan relations.

Big Brother is even known to have met the different Pope three times. Pope Pius XII in 1956. Pope John XXIII in 1959. Then Pope Paul VI in 1963. Indonesia's wish to bring the Pope to Indonesia appeared in 1966.

The invitation only received a response during the era of the Soeharto and New Order governments. Pope Paul VI became the first whale to set foot in Indonesia and Asia in 1970. He traveled to Indonesia using the Vatican Holy Throne state plane from the Alitalia airline at Kemayoran Airport on December 3, 1970.

The Pope was then greeted with President Suharto and his staff. Religious visits were carried out with joy, even though briefly. The Pope had met with interfaith figures first. At night, he immediately appointed the Senayan Main Stadium (now: Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium: GBK).

The arrival of the magnificent sports arena was to hold a great mass. He was greeted with great fanfare. However, those who welcomed were not only Catholics.

Many of those who come come come from other religions, especially Islam. This condition made the arrival of Pope Paul VII like the glue of religious harmony in Indonesia.

There is no sign of hostility from Muslim extremists, as some people fear. An Episcopal Indonesian member was delighted to see the Muslim delegation pay tribute to the Pope at the mass and give a copy of the Qur'an that was bounded with carved wood, "said Henry Kamm in his writing in The New York Times newspaper entitledMoslems, Hindus and Buddhists join Pope at Mass in Jakarta (1970).

Pope Paul's visit VI proved that the Indonesian people welcomed him positively. The visit was considered special by the whole of Indonesia. However, the memory has not been forgotten, it is special that Indonesia is getting back to its blessings.

Pope John Paul II said he would visit Indonesia in 1989. This wish is not a mere empty message. Pope John Paul II actually visited Indonesia on October 8, 1989.

The Pope's arrival looked simple. He only took a Korean Airlines commercial plane. He also refused when the Indonesian government provided Wisma Negara to stay while in Indonesia.

The Pope prefers to stay at the Vatican Embassy. Life has received praise from here and there. His visit was so he received a nervous welcome. President Suharto welcomed his arrival. Likewise with interfaith figures. Along the way from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport to the Merdeka Palace, he welcomed all Jabodetabek residents.

At its peak, he attended the great mass at the GBK Main stadium at night. Hundreds of thousands of people packed the GBK. Some of them are those who are outside of Catholicism. Those who come and are not Catholics are greeted with high gratitude by the Pope.

The Pope even revealed that Indonesia is a special country. Indonesia is able to be independent and unite all ethnic groups of the nation. Various ethnic groups of the nation even live side by side with peace until now.

He also witnessed how interfaith figures can sit down together and discuss matters related to the common good. In particular, the arrival of the Pope is considered an important part of the glue of religious harmony in Indonesia. This is because the religious visit is not filled only with theological affairs, but humanity.

The Pope even mixed his sermon with the Indonesian he learned briefly. As a result, the audience who came greeted him with great fanfare. The Indonesian side also felt special that it could be visited by big leaders of Catholics twice.

In this regard, the Pope praised Indonesia's success, which has been independent for 44 years in uniting this very diverse nation. The Pancasila philosophy has inspired and become a guideline for the growth of your country.

"One guideline that becomes the only solid foundation is to respect all of them. Respect differences of opinion, belief, habits, and values that color many Indonesian citizens," said Pope John Paul II as quoted by A Margana and friends in a report entitled The Shepherd Has Come (1989).