Catholic women activists want Pope Francis to address sexual violence within the Church during his four-day visit to Indonesia, where many dioceses have not implemented steps to deal with such crimes.
Pope Francis’ arrival in Indonesia on Sept. 3 should “strengthen the Church’s resolve on protecting women and children,” said Theresia Iswarini, a Catholic activist and the commissioner of the state-run National Commission on Anti-Violence Against Women.
During his pontificate, Francis initiated several policies to prevent sexual violence in the Church. However, many dioceses in Indonesia have failed to implement them, Iswarini noted during a discussion on “Voices of Catholic Women Activists Ahead of Pope Francis’ Arrival” on Aug. 30.
“They [dioceses] must immediately draft and implement protocols to boost the protection of women and children from sexual violence,” Iswarini demanded.
In Muslim-majority Indonesia, home to 267 million people, there are ten archdioceses, 38 dioceses, and a military ordinariate. With 8 million followers, Catholics form 3.01 percent of the population.
Jakarta archdiocese launched its “Protocol for the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults” in 2022, following guidelines published by the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) in 2020.
In 2019, Father Joseph Kristanto, the then seminary commission secretary of the KWI, highlighted cases involving 56 abuse victims, including 21 seminarians and brothers, 20 nuns, and 15 laypeople, perpetrated by 33 priests and 23 non-priests.
This March, police on Catholic-majority Flores Island arrested a seminarian, Engelbertus Lowa Sada, following allegations he sexually abused a younger seminarian.
The pope is expected to encourage a discussion on ways to tackle sexual violence in the Church in Indonesia, Iswarini said.
“We don’t just want this visit to be a celebration, but a reflection on dealing with sexual violence,” she added.
Holy Spirit Sister Herdiana Randut said the papal visit is also an opportunity to reflect on the role of women in the Church.
Katolikana, an online Jakarta-based Catholic media outlet, hosted the discussion.
“Pope Francis always emphasizes that the Church must side with the marginalized, including women,” said Randut, who works in the Ruteng diocese in the predominantly Christian East Nusa Tenggara province.
Randut said the Church needed to pay attention to environmental issues that impact women. The nun cited the example of local women facing troubles from the Poco Leok geothermal project in the Ruteng diocese.
Women have been leading the protest against the project because they are worried about disasters and damage to agriculture, which is the source of their daily needs and crucial income.
“We cannot ignore the impact of large projects on local communities. The balance between economic needs and environmental protection must be taken seriously,” Randut added.
Francis’ schedule in Indonesia includes a meeting with President Joko Widodo and representatives of the Jakarta Cathedral church.
The 87-year-old pope will also visit the Jakarta Istiqlal Mosque and attend Mass at the Gelora Karno Main Stadium.