Pope and Grand Imam Urge Action on Climate Change and Religious Harmony
On Wednesday, 5 September 2024, Pope Francis and Nasaruddin Umar, Grand Imam of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, signed a joint declaration to “defeat the culture of violence and indifference” and promote reconciliation and peace.
Date Posted:
06-Sep-2024
"We Sisters of Mercy, Parramatta Congregation, will share with others, including people of different faiths and no religious faith, the joys and struggles of this spiritual journey....
We will honour our duty to love and care for Earth and add to her well-being wherever possible." (Chapter Statement).
The interreligious meeting took place on the third day of Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania (2-13 September) visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. Significantly, it was the fifth day of the Season of Creation which commenced on 1 September.
In his address at the Mosque, Pope Francis addressed the importance of “fostering religious harmony for the sake of humanity” (also the title of the Joint Declaration). By adhering to religious harmony, the Pope said, "we take on the responsibility to address the serious and sometimes dramatic crises that threaten the future of humanity such as wars and conflicts, which are unfortunately caused at times by the manipulation of religion, and the environmental crisis, which is an obstacle to the growth and coexistence of peoples".
Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque is the largest in Southeast Asia. A “Tunnel of Friendship” connects the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption.
Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population
More about the Pope's visit to Indonesia can be read here