SURAKARTA, Indonesia : Indonesian Catholics' perception of politics as "dirty" and their awareness of their minority group status have contributed to their declining political clout, say Church activists.

It is thus necessary for "more Catholics who are qualified ... to enter politics," said a communique by 100 delegates who attended the Indonesian Catholic Society Forum's (FMKI) Seventh National Meeting recently. "It is the present and future challenge of Catholic Church in Indonesia," the statement added.

The Aug. 20-22 meeting, held in Surakarta, Central Java, had the theme, "Asserting FMKI's Role as Church's Partner in Socio-Political Fields." Participants represented diocesan commissions for laity as well as various Catholic organizations across the country.

The participants, in their communique, noted that many Catholics are "allergic" to politics or simply not interested. "They consider politics to be dirty."

To change this view, they said it is necessary to organize ongoing intensive political education for Catholics, particularly young people, with the goal of "having more competent" Catholic political candidates for the 2014 general election.

The delegates suggested that Catholics, as a minority group, should keep monitoring Shari'a-based bylaws that have been put into effect in several parts of the country. In their view, such bylaws tend to harm minority groups.

Shari'a (Islamic law) has been adopted in the westernmost Aceh province while 151 Shari'a-based bylaws have been adopted in at least 20 provinces, districts and cities.

Delegates agreed to form a working group which will serve to facilitate all the forum's branches across the country. This group will organize ongoing political education based on the local area's needs and situations.

Participants said the cooperation the forum has begun to develop with various Catholic organizations needs to be improved if political education is to be successful.

Maria Magdalena Nunung Purwanti, who represented the Surakarta branch of FMKI, admitted that many lay Catholics experience a so-called "minority syndrome."

"This is a challenge that we must face seriously," she told UCA News. Lay Catholics must be made aware that they are also citizens with equal rights and obligations as other citizens with different religious backgrounds, she added.

At a press conference, forum organizer R.B. Kasmidjo told reporters: "So far Catholics who are active in political parties have found it difficult to fulfill Catholics' aspirations." He added that FMKI hopes to assist Catholics politically in the future.

Based on 2005 statistics, Indonesia had 6.9 million Catholics out of a total population of 208.8 million. There are only 26 Catholics among the 678 members of the present People's Consultative Assembly, the Indonesian parliament. It was formed in 2004.

Between 1999 and 2004, there were 38 Catholics.

FMKI was established in 1998 when Catholic activists from all of Indonesia's provinces decided not to revive a defunct Catholic political party. Instead, they proposed applying Christian spirituality and social ethics to politics, economics and social life.

FMKI's eighth national meeting will be held in Manado diocese in 2011.

Courtesy : UCAN