ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
TO CARDINAL JULIUS RIYADI DARMAATMADJA,
ARCHBISHOP OF SEMARANG

Paul VI Hall
Monday, 28 November 1994

Dear Cardinal Darmaatmadja,
Dear Friends from Indonesia,

I am very happy to welcome Your Eminence and all who have accompanied you for this joyful event in the life of the Church. Semarang in particular, your birthplace and the Archdiocese which you now guide as Pastor, shares your happiness.

Your nomination to the College of Cardinals strengthens the bonds between the Church in your country and the Holy See. It is the whole nation which is honoured by your elevation, and I am pleased to know that the news has been gladly received not only by the members of the Church but also by the civil authorities and people in all walks of life.

For my part, I continue to pray for the Church in Indonesia and for the peace and development of all its people. Your nation is being challenged to pursue the path of wise efforts to build a better future for all, a future based on profound respect for human dignity and an effective observance of the demands of social justice.

May Almighty God abundantly bless Your Eminence. I invoke his love and peace upon all of you who are present here, and I ask you to take my blessing to your families and to your communities at home. Semoga Allah memberkati Indonesia dengan damaiNya ("May God bless Indonesia with his peace").

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