TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Ignatius Suharyo explains the Catholic Church’s stance on the planned issuance of mining permits to mass organizations. He considers mining activities destructive to the environment.

Monsignor Ignatius Suharyo was taken aback by a question from a reporter on Wednesday, June 5. That day, he had just discussed religious moderation in Indonesia with ministry officials. The reporter approached him with a question about the Catholic Church’s stance on the government’s plan to issue mining permits to community and religious organizations.

Ignatius, now the Archbishop of Jakarta, responded that the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) would not take the mining management opportunity offered by the government. Ignatius’ response is also a statement of the Church’s position. “The mining business is not our territory. Our territory is faith and moral,” he stressed at the Jakarta Archdiocese Building in Central Jakarta on Thursday, June 13.

The government plans to distribute mining business licenses to community and religious organizations, as outlined in Government Regulation No. 25/2024 regarding the Implementation of Mineral and Coal Mining Activities. So far, only Nahdlatul Ulama has shown interest in managing mines.

Suharyo pointed out that mining activities would definitely destroy the environment. The impact of the business is not in accordance with the Catholic Church’s commitment to nurture and conserve nature. “The mining business is complex and carries huge risks,” he added.

For two hours, Suharyo explained to Tempo the reasons why the Catholic Church turned down the opportunity. He also shed light on his efforts to keep communication with bishops and the leaders of other religious organizations regarding the plan. The following is the excerpt from the interview.

Why do you reject the government plan to issue mining permits to religious organizations?

A mass organization is an association of people established by a certain community with certain aims and objectives. The Catholic Church was not founded by people. The Church with the capital ‘C’ means it is an entity with self-identity with clear domains, which are faith and morals. Hence, the mining business is not the Catholic Church’s domain.

What is the background?

Public civility is backed by three pillars, namely the state, businesses, and society. The state has the duty to ensure the common good. Meanwhile, businesses must conduct business in a fair manner. Society meanwhile lives in a public space based on trust. The Church does not have any position in the state or business, except in society.

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Is the Church’s position that strict?

There are lay groups within the Catholic Church. Their number is the largest. I am in the hierarchy with pastors and deacons. The lay groups can go into businesses but without using the name of religion. The responsibility of Catholic laypeople in the business context is to make sure that they do business fairly.

What if lay Catholics are involved in the mining business?

The mining business is complex. There are temptations and huge risks if it is not managed well. It also damages the environment, whereas the Catholic Church devotes great attention (to urge) all groups not to play any part in environmental destruction. We heard about a tin mining corruption case that caused trillions of rupiah worth of ecological losses. How come we want to be part of that kind of practice.

The Church itself may not do it, but are Catholics also forbidden from engaging in the mining business?

How does the Church show its face if (it) goes so far as engaging in (mining) businesses? Being involved in this high-risk business requires serious moral considerations. Catholics can go ahead and do the mining business. But do not carry the Catholic flag. Do business with the environment conservation principle. They must fulfill many requirements.

It’s almost impossible to do mining business without damaging the environment.

Isn’t there a controlled exploration model? Once you start talking about backing, that clearly is damaging.

Is there a connection between this rejection and the vow of poverty among priests?

We live in ‘poverty’ by choice. What we maintain are values, and we deliberately choose to do so. We have no problem with taunting remarks like that. The key is to hold on to your self-identity.

Read the Full Interview in Tempo English Magazine