Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta defended his controversial visit to senior Indonesian politician Hasto Kristiyanto, currently detained at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) facility, citing pastoral duty, ecclesiastical significance, and personal ties as key reasons behind the move.
The visit, made on Monday, drew mixed reactions from the public, with critics questioning its timing and perceived political undertones, given that Hasto—a top figure in the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP)—is facing bribery allegations and scrutiny over the disappearance of fellow party member Harun Masiku.
“I made this visit as part of my pastoral mission. I follow the example of Pope Francis, who regularly visits prisoners, especially on Holy Thursday before Easter,” Cardinal Suharyo told reporters.
He linked the gesture to the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” underscoring that Catholics are called to make tangible expressions of hope, including visiting individuals in detention.
“Believers are invited to express hope through tangible acts—including visiting those facing difficult circumstances, such as detainees,” he said.
Despite these explanations, some Catholic groups and alumni of Catholic institutions raised concerns over the selective nature of the visit. No reports have emerged of similar visits to other Catholic detainees at the KPK, fueling allegations of favoritism and questions over political neutrality.
“I’ve known Mr. Hasto’s family for a long time. We were neighbours for years in the St. Paul’s Major Seminary of Kentungan area of Yogyakarta. We used to play football together in the field in front of the Kentungan Seminary, and I would often stop by his family’s house afterward,” the Cardinal said, emphasizing a longstanding personal connection.
According to Suharyo, Hasto has embraced his detention as a “retreat—a moment of spiritual purification and reflection.” He added that the politician has been spending his time in prayer, Scripture reading, writing, and fasting “in the biblical manner of Esther, refraining from food and drink for three days.”
They also reflected on prayer during hardship, referencing the Acts of the Apostles. “What’s being asked isn’t freedom, but the courage to keep sharing God’s word. That’s the essence of prayer in times of suffering,” Suharyo said.
During the visit, Suharyo also delivered a palm leaf from a parishioner to commemorate Palm Sunday, which was celebrated in the detention center by Catholic inmates with Fr. Yustinus Sulistiadi.
He was accompanied by Fr. Thomas Ulun, deputy secretary of the Archdiocese of Jakarta, and a member of parliament from the PDIP faction.
