3765(II)_Surabaya - model for inter-religious dialogue of life

By Fr. Reo Ferdinandus, SDB

Surabaya, Indonesia, October 11, 2015 - As many other EAO Salesian communities in the Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand or Mindanao also the Surabaya - St. Michael Parish based community of two Salesians (Fr. Noel Villafuerte, parish priest and Fr. Deddy Ferdinandus – principal of the parish school) are waken up every morning at 3:50 AM by the call for prayer from nearby mosque Al Iklash (=Surrender) locate just at the back of the parish - school compound.

Within the not-so-large territory of the St. Michael Catholic Parish (Surabaya diocese) entrusted to the Salesians in 2008, you can meet all major Indonesian religion places of worship – Islam Mosque, Hindu Temple, Chinese religion temple or Protestant Church. This is a typical EAO living environment: multi-religious and multicultural. But the triple dialogue of life requested by the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences) - dialogue with cultures, religions and poverty – is not yet our daily Salesian lifestyle.

“During the two days animation visit of Fr. Václav in Surabaya I was challenged to have a short afternoon tour around parish and get in touch with the other religion places of worship. Indeed our parish is surrounded by a nearby Mosque Al Iklash and protestant Gereja and there are many other religion places of worship in our parish territory included the Hindu Temple. But I have before even tried to enter into any of them. After four years of living in our St. Michael parish school and Church, I have never crossed on the other side to the Muslim school or Mosque, just attached on the back of our compound. Through the encouragement of Fr. Klement, I was able to step in into the neighbor compound and the place of worship.

First step to other religion place of worship is always not-so-easy, but then we are welcomed by the friendliness and welcoming attitude of the Imam or Muslim priest or believer.

Today we met fellow Imam Datuk in his mosque, asked many question about the daily life of the Muslim faith community and school. It was nice to have an occasion to meet him. He said that we are always living in peace and harmony here in the region of Surabaya. Inter-religious relationship was always good and interesting. We share the same value of life, how do we deal to each other and how do we live our lives as a follower of God. The Salesians here in Surabaya were invited several times for the ecumenical gathering. And we accepted it as an opportunity to spread the good news of the Lord. Like in our delegation of Indonesia second strategic, point two was written to always have the good relationship with the different religion, perhaps now is the time to walk the talk. We have to start from our own neighborhood.

Imam Datuk was having a great experience when he was assign in Laga East Timor. He is a pension Navy colonel. He share that when he was in Laga, he saw how the people there bring the priest in his shoulder in order to cross the river. It was a nice experience according to him. She sees the good thing there, that the people showing their respect to the priest. It means we have the great opportunities to own their respect and bring them closer to Jesus. I do believe that there will be many more people like imam Datuk to have such an experience of good people and the openness to receive and allow us to know each other and to have the good relationship. Isn’t it this is the good sign and good challenge for us Salesian here in Indonesia in order to live in peace and harmony with our neighborhood? The decision is with us! Thank you Fr. Klement for the first and good experience that you share to me! Viva Don Bosco!”