Jakarta Archdiocese Marks 219th Anniversary with Interfaith Walk for Harmony and Environment

Thousands of people joined a public walk through the streets of central Jakarta on May 9 to commemorate the 219th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Jakarta, highlighting interfaith solidarity and environmental responsibility in Indonesia’s capital.

Held under the theme “Integrity of Creation,” the event brought together Catholics, members of other religious communities, government officials, youth groups, and cultural organizations in what organizers described as a celebration of unity in diversity.

The walk began at the complex of Jakarta Cathedral and passed through several major streets in central Jakarta. Participants included Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta; Nazaruddin Umar, Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs and former Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque; and Pramono Anung, Governor of Jakarta, alongside thousands of residents and representatives of interfaith and cultural groups.

Traditional performers dressed in regional costumes also joined the procession, adding a cultural dimension to the anniversary celebration.

“The event demonstrated strong solidarity and reflected the spirit of religious tolerance in Jakarta,” said Damiana, a catechist from Halim Parish in East Jakarta and an employee of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

She said the program emphasized harmony among religious communities while also promoting environmental awareness through activities such as tree planting. According to her, the initiative aligned with the Indonesian government’s “Asta Protas” program, which promotes interreligious harmony, compassion, and ecological responsibility.

During a press conference held at Jakarta Cathedral, Minister of Religious Affairs Nazaruddin Umar said recent surveys showed Indonesia maintaining a high level of religious harmony.

The minister described Jakarta as one of the most peaceful cities in Southeast Asia and pointed to the “Tunnel of Friendship” linking Istiqlal Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral as a symbol of interfaith cooperation and national unity.

Governor Pramono Anung used the occasion to call on churches and Catholic communities to support Jakarta’s waste-sorting campaign as the city struggles with mounting garbage problems.

Jakarta produces between 7,300 and 8,000 tons of waste daily, much of it transported to the Bantargebang landfill in nearby Bekasi, where waste accumulation has exceeded 55 million tons.

Pramono said cooperation between religious communities and civic authorities would be essential in encouraging environmental responsibility at the household level.

The anniversary celebration formed part of broader efforts by the Archdiocese of Jakarta to promote dialogue, ecological awareness, and social engagement in Indonesia’s multicultural society.