We do not only want to build tolerance, but also acceptance...Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, reviewed preparations for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Mass at the Jakarta Cathedral, Sawah Besar sub-district, Jakarta, on Friday.
"Since tomorrow is Christmas Day, I would like to know whether there is any obstacle to the implementation of the worship. I think everything has been going well so far," he remarked.
He was received at the church by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Jakarta (KAJ), Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo.
The coordinating minister and his entourage inspected the hall of the cathedral before the congregations started face-to-face worship for Christmas Eve Mass at 5.30 p.m. Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB).
Related news: VP Amin conveys Christmas, New Year greetings
Christmas Day carries a message of peace and is a momentum to unite Indonesia’s diverse people, the minister said.
"We do not only want to build tolerance, but also acceptance -- not only understand people’s diversity, but also collaborate to achieve common advancement," he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo said that the 2021 Christmas message is ‘Christ's Love Improves Brotherhood’.
"It is crucial to highlight the term ‘Improves’ in the message as we hope that the spirit of Christmas will inspire a movement to improve and nurture brotherhood," he remarked.
The minister was accompanied by the Commander of the National Police’s Mobile Brigade Corps, Inspector General Anang Revandoko, deputy chief of Jayakarta Regional Military Command, Brigadier General Bobby Rinal Makmun, Central Jakarta Resort Police chief, Senior Commissioner Hengki Haryadi, and Central Jakarta Mayor Dhany Sukma during his visit.
The Religious Affairs Ministry has asked churches to hold Christmas worship activities in a mix of online and offline formats with strict health protocols through Circular Letter Number 33/2021.
The circular caps the number of people attending offline events at 50 percent of a room's capacity. (
Related news: Religious Affairs Ministry issues circular on Christmas celebrations
Related news: National Committee readies recording of Christmas celebration, worship
Translator: Mentari Gayati, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
