Indonesian bishops urge Catholic participation in national elections

Published: 2004-01-28

JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNS) -- Indonesia's bishops are urging Catholics to vote in upcoming national elections. Elections to the national legislature are scheduled for April 5. Round one of the country's first direct presidential election is set for July 5, to be followed by the second round Sept. 20, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. "Every citizen should use his or her right to vote," says a booklet published by the Indonesian bishops' conference and distributed to every diocese. It also suggests establishment of special groups to provide electoral information. The booklet presents conclusions from a meeting late last year at which bishops and lay people shared ideas and experiences concerning social justice in Indonesia. Some 17,000 copies of the booklet have been distributed. "We hope this process will help Catholics make the right and appropriate choices, including political choices," the bishops explain in the booklet, which includes a section that deals with elections.

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