New Indonesian Bishops` Conference leadership

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received the new executive board of the Indonesian Bishops` Conference (KWI) at the presidential office here on Thursday.

Accompanied by Religous Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni and Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, the president received the KWI executives for a dialog and exchange of view on various problems in the country.

"Besides introducing the KWI`s new executive board to the president, we also discussed various problems in the country and the contributions of religious communities to national development," KWI Presidium Chairman Martinus Dokma Situmorang said after the meeting with the head of state.

Situmorang added that at the meeting with Yudhoyono, the KWI asked to be involved intensively in national development, the maintenance of the state philosophy, national unity efforts, public welfare, and justice for all people.

"We also expressed our concern and asked for the government to maintain the 1945 Constitution. We said we were also ready to jointly anticipte and get rid of things which have the potential to disturb national unity and integrity," Situmorang said.

He said the KWI gave its moral support to and prayed for the government, and promised to encourage the Catholic community to participate fully in national development.

"We expressed our certainty that if Indonesia remains united and the national values and morality are maintained, this nation will be a blessing to other nations and all people around the world," said Situmorang, the former bishop of Padang, West Sumatra.

At the meeting with the head of state, according to him, President Yudhoyono said the government also shared the KWI`s point of views.

Situmorang said the president on the occasion also pointed out the importance of Pancasila (the state philosophy) as the dignity of the nation and its people.