Pope calls for ‘strengthening inter-religious dialogue’ to ‘counteract extremism’

Pope Francis called on Wednesday in Jakarta for “strengthening interreligious dialogue” pour “countering extremism and intolerance”at the start of a long tour in Asia-Pacific. Such a dialogue is “essential to confront common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which – by distorting religion – try to impose themselves using deception and violence”the Argentine pope said in a speech to Indonesian officials and the diplomatic corps at the presidential palace.

The Pope arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday morning for the three-day visit, part of a marathon tour of four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania that will then take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

242 million Muslims

In the immense archipelago which is home to the largest Muslim population in the world (242 million, or 87% of the inhabitants), for some eight million Catholics (less than 3%), this visit must above all be structured around Islamic-Christian dialogue, with a meeting on Thursday with representatives of the officially recognized faiths in the country.

“In order to foster a peaceful and constructive harmony that guarantees peace (…) the Church wishes to strengthen interreligious dialogue”declared the sovereign pontiff. “There are cases where faith in God is continually put at the forefront, but often to be unfortunately manipulated and to serve (…) to foment divisions and increase hatred”deplored Francis, who regularly denounces all forms of religious fundamentalism.

Also readAt 87, Pope Francis embarks on his longest journey to the borders of Asia and Oceania

Indonesia has grappled with Muslim extremism in recent decades, culminating in bombings on the resort island of Bali in 2002 that killed 202 people. The attacks, the deadliest in Indonesian history, have led to a crackdown on extremism in the Muslim-majority country.

Security has been tight for the pope’s visit to Jakarta, with some roads closed and security personnel deployed, including some 4,000 soldiers and police, as well as snipers. The Argentine pope’s speech was one of the first events in a busy schedule in the Indonesian capital, ahead of another speech at the city’s cathedral later in the day and a mass at the national stadium in football of 80,000 places on Thursday.