The Inter-Franciscans for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (INFO JPIC) Indonesia held its 2026 national meeting from August 19–25 at St. Mary’s Pangesthi Wening Retreat House in Ambarawa, Central Java, calling for stronger collaboration, disaster preparedness and commitment to communities affected by social and ecological crises.
The meeting brought together 67 participants under the theme “800 Years of Francis of Assisi’s Easter: The Franciscan Path of Suffering and Liberation,” as the Indonesian Franciscan family reflects on the 800th anniversary of the death, or “Easter,” of St. Francis of Assisi.
INFO JPIC is a collaborative forum for JPIC animators and coordinators from 24 Franciscan and Franciscan-affiliated Orders and Congregations in Indonesia. Operating under the Franciscan Major Superiors (PTF), it provides formation, networking and coordination for ministries promoting justice, peace and care for creation.
Founded in 2008, INFO JPIC has organized annual meetings and supported initiatives including human rights advocacy, social analysis, paralegal training, interfaith dialogue, ecological campaigns, anti-trafficking efforts and humanitarian assistance.
A major focus of this year’s meeting was strengthening disaster response. Participants received emergency response and disaster mitigation training from Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) and Caritas Indonesia.
The meeting recommended that each regional group develop a one-year Disaster Mitigation Follow-up Plan and a three-year strategy, along with a common standard operating procedure to ensure disaster response is effective, transparent and accountable.
INFO JPIC also called for coordinated assistance to communities affected by disasters in Flores, part of East Nusa Tenggara Province in eastern Indonesia, and other affected areas. Regional initiatives are to be communicated to the national leadership to strengthen coordinated action.
The forum emphasized that justice, peace and integrity of creation are integral to Franciscan identity rather than additional ministries.
“Franciscan superiors were encouraged to allocate dedicated funds for JPIC ministries, establish or strengthen JPIC commissions, foundations or secretariats, and integrate JPIC values into initial and ongoing formation,” Fr. Pius Ndruru, OFMCap, Capuchin Custodian of Nias Region, told RVA.
Sr. Yvonne OFS said Franciscan communities were also encouraged to prepare members for dedicated JPIC ministry and strengthen leadership formation and succession.
INFO JPIC further urged stronger cooperation with government agencies, NGOs, indigenous communities and interfaith groups, while encouraging the use of social media to promote justice, peace and ecological responsibility.
The next national meeting will be held August 19–25, 2027, in the Medan Region of northern Sumatra, with “Justice” as its theme. Online meetings will also be held every three or four months to strengthen collaboration among members.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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