Indonesian Bishop Links Independence Day Celebration to Justice, Fraternity and Care for Creation

Bishop Vinsensius Setiawan Triatmojo of Tanjungkarang called for a deeper understanding of freedom rooted in justice, human dignity, fraternity and care for creation during an Independence Day celebration that brought Catholics, Muslims and community groups together in Bandar Lampung, southern Sumatra.

About 150 people attended the August 17 celebration at Asilo Hermelink in Rajabasa, Bandar Lampung, the capital of Lampung province. Participants included Catholics, Muslims, members of the Catholic Women’s Association (WKRI), lay organizations, community leaders and Scouts.

Bishop Triatmojo served as inspector of the ceremony marking Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day and urged participants to view independence not simply as a historical achievement but as an ongoing responsibility to build a just and inclusive society.

“Freedom cannot be understood only as a historical event remembered each August 17,” the bishop said. It must also be reflected in how society treats its people, particularly those who are poor and vulnerable.

He called for development that benefits disadvantaged communities, including people living in remote and border areas. Economic growth and infrastructure, he said, should ultimately be measured by whether they improve the lives of those who have the least.

Bishop Triatmojo also highlighted education as an essential expression of love for the nation, urging people to help educate children and young people so they can contribute fully to the country’s future.

He stressed that the common good must take precedence over narrow group interests.

The bishop linked freedom with respect for human dignity and fraternity across religious and social differences.

“Human beings are created in the image of God,” he said, emphasizing that every person deserves respect regardless of religious background, social status or identity.

The participation of Muslims and Catholics, together with women, young people, community organizations and Scouts, provided a visible expression of Indonesia’s religious and cultural diversity.

Bishop Triatmojo also connected fraternity with care for the environment.

“The world we live in together belongs to all of us,” he said, describing the earth as a shared home whose resources must be protected for present and future generations.

Environmental destruction, he noted, also affects vulnerable communities and is therefore closely linked to social justice.

The setting of the celebration reinforced that message. Asilo Hermelink, a 2.5-hectare complex owned by the Diocese of Tanjungkarang, includes the Laudato Si’ Centre, green spaces, a camping ground, a jogging track, Campus Ministry facilities, an arts and cultural center and other community facilities.

The complex was inaugurated by Bishop Triatmojo in July 2025 as a center for spiritual and social activities.

Following the Independence Day ceremony, participants joined in cleaning the surrounding area, turning the bishop’s call to care for creation into a practical community activity.

The celebration reflected the Catholic Church’s wider emphasis on dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation among Indonesia’s diverse religious communities.

For Bishop Triatmojo, freedom is ultimately more than liberation from oppression. It should create conditions for justice, protect human dignity, strengthen fraternity and safeguard the common home.

The Independence Day gathering in Bandar Lampung offered a local expression of that vision: people of different faiths and backgrounds coming together to celebrate their shared nation and work for the common good.