Dispora Catholic Easter Celebration, Indonesia To The Continents

Diaspora Easter will be held online. (photo: doc.antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian representatives and missionaries from 70 countries will take part in the joint celebration of the Worldwide Indonesian Catholic Diaspora Easter with the theme "Indonesia to the Continents" (Indonesia to the Continents).

According to a written statement from the Committee for the Joint Easter Celebration of the Indonesian Catholic Diaspora Worldwide received in Jakarta, Tuesday, May 3, the Easter celebration which will be held online on Saturday, May 7 at 15.00 WIB is specially dedicated to Indonesian missionaries working in 70 countries. the.

"Pope (Francis) firmly refers to Indonesia as islands of vocation. As a consequence, in this context, Indonesia does not only mean the Indonesian Catholic Church but more broadly, namely the Indonesian nation as one unit," said the chairman of the organizing committee for Easter activities. that's AM Putut Prabantoro, as quoted by Antara.

The grand Easter celebration will begin with a celebratory mass by Fr. Leonardus Mali in Rome, Italy, Fr. Agustinus Purnomo MSF in Norway, Fr. Paul Halek SSCC in Rome and Fr. Markus Solo Kewuta SVD at the Vatican.

Father Leonardus Mali, who is an adviser to the organizing committee for the Easter event, revealed that the tradition of celebrating Christmas and Easter together has been virtually carried out by the worldwide Catholic diaspora network since 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Although this year's theme is 'Indonesia to the Continents', the meaning remains the same as the previous years' theme, namely 'Indonesia for the whole world'," said Leo.

"This celebration is expected to be wider and lively because it is presented and at the same time involves Indonesian missionaries who are currently on missions in 70 countries around the world," he said.

Leo said the Indonesian Catholic diaspora who will attend Easter online are located in 70 countries spread across 5 continents -- America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

"It is undeniable that Indonesian Catholic missionaries and diaspora are an inseparable part of the components of the Indonesian nation. They are Indonesian ambassadors who promote Indonesian values and culture such as harmony, kinship, diversity, and Christian values that are bound by Indonesia's culture is very rich and diverse, in the countries of each mission's destination," said Leo.