By Mathias Hariyadi
INDONESIA – The Indonesian Catholic Community Forum (Forum Masyarakat Katolik Indonesia or FMKI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the role of Catholic laity in civic and political affairs during its Special 12th National Meeting.
A total of 195 participants attended the meeting, representing FMKI chapters from dioceses, provinces, and districts across the country.
Also present were the founders of FMKI, representatives of lay organizations such as the Indonesian Catholic Women Association (WKRI), Catholic Youth (Pemuda Katolik), Indonesian Catholic Students Association (PMKRI), the Indonesian Catholic Academia Association (ISKA), diocesan lay commissions from 34 dioceses, and other Catholic lay communities.
During the conference, academic and former Deputy II at the Presidential Staff Office Yanuar Nugroho underscored FMKI’s critical role in defending democratic space amid growing threats.
“We are witnessing a systematic shrinking of civil space – freedom of expression is under threat, independent media is weakening, and criticism of authority is often seen as subversive,” said Yanuar.
“In this context, FMKI must evolve beyond being a discussion platform into an organized lay movement with a voice and impact in the public sphere,” he added.
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