Capuchin Archbishop Hieronymus Herculanus Bumbun has praised the work of a credit union in Pontianak established 16 years ago by Catholic lay people as a medium for improving the lives of all religious people. The prelate thanked the work of the organization in his homily during Holy Mass on the weekend to inaugurate the new office of the Stella Maris Credit Union, which opened in 1995. “The local Church thanks laypeople for their active participation in proclaiming the Good News through the credit union, which has improved the quality of economic life among Catholic families as well as other religious followers.” He added that the union was not being used as a tool for proselytizing, but rather as “an effort taken by the local Church to create well-being for all human beings.” Munawar Bustaman of Pontianak’s cooperative service said the credit union was an economic institution in line with the national ideology of Pancasila, or “five principles,” enshrined in the 1945 Constitution.