The Dicastery for Communication and the Commission for Social Communications of the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia sign a cooperation agreement to include Indonesian as an official language of Vatican News.
Vatican News Indonesian has become the 57th language available on Vatican News. Thanks to the signing on Wednesday, 25 March, of a Memorandum of Understanding agreement between Indonesian representatives and the Holy See's Dicastery for Communication, more people will be able to receive the Pope's message in their own language. The signing took place at Vatican News and Vatican Radio's headquarters in Rome, in the presence of delegations representing the Holy See's Dicastery for Communication, the Commission for Social Communications of the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See. The celebration of an enduring friendship Bishop Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo, Chairman of the Commission for Social Communications of the Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia (KWI), participating in the event, described it as "a celebration of an enduring friendship, a recognition of our national identity, and a strengthening of the bridge of faith between Indonesia and the heart of the universal Church." He added that it is a modern form of "Good News" for Indonesian Catholics, establishing "a direct pathway to universal Church information for the Indonesian people" as "Catholics in Indonesia and Malaysia can now hear the voice of the Holy Father and the message of the universal Church in their own mother tongue." The promotion of inclusivity and a deeper sense of connection Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Editorial Director Andrea Tornielli, and Massimiliano Menichetti, Deputy Editorial Director and head of Vatican Radio – Vatican News, noted at the signing that the agreement will help "promote inclusivity, strengthen pastoral communication, and foster a deeper sense of connection between the Vatican and local faithful." They also noted how the local Church will find it a helpful resource in their efforts, as well as ensure important universal messages of peace and fraternity are clearly presented and shared within the Indonesian cultural context. A historic moment for Indonesia Also present at the signing was the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to the Holy See, Mr. Michael Trias Kuncahyono, who expressed his delight in the fruition of this accord, noting that the occasion marks "a historic moment for Indonesia" and "especially for Catholics" of the nation. The inclusion of the Indonesian language in Vatican News, now the 57th language of the media outlet, will allow Indonesians to read in their own mother tongue news and information about the Pope and the Vatican, as well as Church news around the world. This new language addition will allow many more people to connect with the Church and people across the globe to build a world marked by listening, learning, dialoguing and celebrating shared values of peace, fraternity and religious harmony.