“Religious leaders must prioritize their prophetic role. They play an important role in combating corruption,” said Father Antonius Benny Susetyo, executive secretary of the Indonesian bishops’ Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.
The diocesan priest was speaking at an April 30 discussion session in Central Jakarta called “Religions and Corruption” organized by the Center for Dialogue and Cooperation among Civilizations (CDCC).
Religion must provide inspiration in the fight against corruption since it can strongly influence people, he said. Religion has the task of introducing universal values and maintaining integrity and independence in terms of relations with the authorities.
Father Susetyo said senior churchmen should encourage religious organizations to side with the people instead of the authorities. “The problem is that religions tend to deal only with themselves instead of corruption, which harms the common good and hurts the national image,” he continued.
He said, religious organizations are trapped in a power vacuum because of strong domination by the state and as a result cannot play their prophetic role properly.
According to Reverend Gomar Gultom, secretary general of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), said he hoped religious leaders would speak out and condemn graft more.
Abdul Mu’ti, secretary of Islamic organization Muhammadiyah, suggested that religious groups such as Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, and the PGI should establish a joint movement to combat corruption.
Meanwhile, Danang Widoyoko, coordinator of Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), said religious organizations are well placed to fight graft because of their strong ties in society.
“I hope religious organizations, which are not yet contaminated by power will join together in the fight against corruption,” he said.
IJ09591/1600 May 3, 2010 34 EM-lines (295 words)
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