Monsignor Ignatius Suharyo: Don't Bring Religion into Business
Translator
Editor
28 June 2024 12:07 WIB
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.
