ENDE (UCAN): Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, paid tribute to the country’s Catholics on June 1 by celebrating the 77th anniversary of the introduction of the national ideology, Pancasila—the Five Principles, in the city of Ende on Flores island, in predominantly Catholic East Nusa Tenggara province.
This is the first time that the annual ceremony been held there since it was introduced by the country’s first president, Sukarno, on 1 June 1945.
Pancasila stipulates belief in one God, a just and civilised society, a united Indonesia, democracy guided by consensus, and social justice for all citizens irrespective of religion.
Widodo chose to celebrate the occasion in Ende because it is known as “The City of Pancasila”, after the ideology was drawn up by Sukarno when he was exiled there by Dutch colonial rulers between 1934 and 1938.
“Sukarno’s inspiration for Pancasila came because of the warmth he felt from the people of Ende,” Widodo told the large crowd gathered for the event. Pancasila, he said, “has become a star that leads the Indonesian people in facing various challenges in the country.”
He called on all Indonesians to adopt Pancasila’s values in their daily life.
After the ceremony, Widodo visited a small museum called Serambi Sukarno dedicated to the first president at St. Joseph Monastery, run by the Divine Word congregation.
Widodo chose to celebrate the occasion in Ende because it is known as “The City of Pancasila”, after the ideology was drawn up by Sukarno when he was exiled there by Dutch colonial rulers between 1934 and 1938
The monastery was where Sukarno built a strong friendship with Divine Word missionaries such as Father Gerardus Huijtink and Father Johannes Bouma.
Widodo was welcomed by Archbishop Vincentius Sensi Potokota of Ende as well as several priests, nuns and brothers.
“Sukarno often took the time to talk with the priests at the monastery. He also borrowed books from them,” Archbishop Potokota told Widodo.
One local, Matheus Wangge, said he was proud to meet the president.
“The president’s visit shows he’s a simple and close leader to the people. He even distributes aid packages and money to local people. We are thankful for his visit. He embodies Pancasila values,” said.
Iprianus Laka Mau, chairperson of the Ende branch of the Union of Catholic Students of the Republic of Indonesia [PMKRI] said the president’s visit tells local Catholics they are not forgotten people.
“It is a special moment for the local Catholic Church because he meets local Catholic leaders and his people personally,” he said.
Father Antonius Benny Susetyo, a member of a presidential unit promoting Pancasila, reiterated that sentiment, adding: “Pancasila must become a symbol so that we have a sense of humanity, unity and justice,” he said.
