Jakarta Cardinal Links Christian Freedom to Care for Earth, Human Dignity

Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta urged Catholics to practice freedom by choosing what is good, respecting human dignity and protecting the environment during the Sixth Marian Pilgrimage of Fatima on October 13 in East Jakarta, Indonesia, as the Sisters of the Good Shepherd prepare to mark 100 years of their presence in the country in 2027.

The pilgrimage took place at the Fatima Marian Grotto in the Good Shepherd Sisters’ convent complex on Jalan Jatinegara Barat. It began with the recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, followed by a Mass presided over by Cardinal Suharyo.

In his homily, the cardinal said true freedom does not mean doing whatever one wishes, but allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit and choosing what is right, even when it involves difficulty or sacrifice.

Reflecting on the Gospel account of the Pharisees and St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, he warned against attitudes that consider one group superior to others and exclude people regarded as inferior.

“Jesus was truly free because He allowed His life to be entirely guided by the Holy Spirit,” he said.

Cardinal Suharyo connected this understanding of freedom with ecological responsibility, recalling the Archdiocese of Jakarta’s emphasis on ecological conversion in 2026.

He said care for the Earth must be practiced not only by individuals but also by families, communities, parishes and the wider archdiocese.

Rising temperatures and declining rainfall can threaten drinking water supplies, disrupt agricultural production and increase food prices, making life more difficult for people struggling to meet basic needs, he said.

The cardinal encouraged Catholics to take practical steps in daily life, including avoiding food waste, saving water and conserving energy. He stressed that environmental destruction affects not only nature but also human lives and the common good.

To illustrate this responsibility, he recounted a story about a parrot that refused to abandon a withered tree that had long provided shelter for its family and other birds. The story, he said, highlights the importance of remaining faithful to the common home that sustains many forms of life.

The annual pilgrimage, held on the 13th of each month from May through October, recalls the Marian apparitions in Fatima, Portugal. The October gathering was also part of preparations for the centenary of the Good Shepherd Sisters’ mission in Indonesia, which began in Jakarta in 1927.

The congregation initially focused on caring for abandoned children and adolescent girls needing education and support. The Fatima shrine was established following the sisters’ return to their premises after wartime disruption. It was blessed at its present location in East Jakarta in October 1961.

As the congregation approaches its centenary, Cardinal Suharyo called on Catholics to translate their faith into concrete commitments to respect every person, accompany others through change and care for the Earth as the common home of all creation.