Revisiting the Footsteps of Dr. Johannes Leimena

IL News 011/2016

Bandung, May 14th, 2016

Dr. Johannes Leimena was a Christian medical doctor who then became a stateman. He worked multiple times as ministers and Acting President of Indonesia for 7 times in the span of 20 years (1946-1966). In 2010, 33 years after he passed away, he was awarded the title of National Hero by the Indonesian government. The most important legacy of Dr. Johannes Leimena is to respect pluralism, uphold tolerance, respect pluralism and embody solidarity in society, nation and state. His life has been exemplary, both in his profession as a doctor, his involvement in political and social fields, as well as his testimony of faith.

To commemorate Dr. Johannes Leimena, a seminar was held on Saturday, May 14th, 2016 at 8:30 to 16:00 in the Agape Hall at Immanuel Hospital-Bandung, attended by approximately 100 participants. This seminar was held jointly between the Leimana Institute, Pasundan Christian Church Synod, Hospital Board Foundation, as well as Inter-Religious Network (JAKATARUB).

Seminar “Remembering Dr. Johannes Leimena” was led by various resource persons to discuss the variety of the life and thought of Dr. Johannes Leimena and its relevance for today’s society. The Resource persons for the seminar were Jakob Tobing (President of the Leimena Institute), Rev. Gomar Gultom (General Secretary of the Indonesian Council of Churches), Prof. Armein Langi (Rector of Maranatha Christian University Bandung), dr. Andi Soemara (physician at Immanuel Hospital), Wawan Gunawan (chairman of JAKATARUB, a lecturer at State Islamic University Sunan Gunung Jati, from Nahdlatul Ulama), Rev. Wahyu Satrio Wibowo (lecturer at the Faculty of Theology-Duta Wacana Christian University Yogyakarta).

The family life of Dr. Johannes Leimena were also presented in the seminar through the testimony of Mrs. Catharina W. Leimena (J. Leimena’s daughter) and A. Djauhar Dominggus Leimena (J. Leimena’s son). This shows that he was a man who lived up his faith in public and also in his private life. Hopefully the footsteps of Dr. Johannes Leimena will be followed as Salt and Light for all.