Mahfud MD Visits Cathedral Church At Christmas Mass, Brings Messages Of Religious Tolerance

Mahfud MD visited the Jakarta Cathedral Church on Christmas Eve 24 December 2023 (Photo: Abdul Aziz Masindo/VOI)

Mahfud MD visited the Cathedral Church in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta on Christmas Eve Sunday, December 24. In his remarks, Mahfud MD gave a message in religious tolerance, reminding Indonesia to be a Pancasila country.

"Because we are in the country of Pancasila. All religions must teach kindness and brotherhood," said Mahfud MD at the Cathedral Church, Central Jakarta, Sunday, December 24.

According to Mahfud, if there are people acting on behalf of religion but committing acts of violence, said Mahfud, they certainly do not have the right religion to violate their religious teachings.

Mahfud also said he would encourage and support every step to worship and for services, especially religious holidays such as Christmas, Eid al-Fitr and others.

The arrival of Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, as a representative of the Government was welcomed by the Cardinal of the Cathedral Church, Ignatius Suharyo.

"Mr. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, thank you very much. We pray that everything you have done and done for this nation can truly be presented to God as a praise for the good glory of the whole nation," said Ignatius Suharyo.

Ignatius also agreed with Mahfud MD that all religions teach kindness in teaching brotherhood, harmony among fellow human beings, not among religious adherents internally.