When Catholic priest kisses NU cleric's hand

Jakarta, NU Online
In August 2015 a photo depicting Father Aloysius Budi Purnomo that was kissing the hand of KH Mustafa Bisri (Gus Mus) was circulated in cyberspace. This photo made people appreciate it and even made some others upset.

Father Budi Purnomo, head of the Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs in the Archdiocese of Semarang, said it happened when he and Gus Mus were equally invited to be guest speakers at a meeting taking up issues on nationality at the RRI Auditorium,  Semarang, Central Java, saying that his behavior was a positive thing.

"Gus Mus is like my (own) grandfather. Not just a friend, he is also my idol when I was in a senior high school. His poems and literary works did inspire me along with the works written by Father Mangunwijaya, "he said in the Metro TV's highest-rated talk show, 'Mata Najwa' on Wednesday (14/4).

Father Budi Purnomo asked to retell the hand-kissing gesture said that it should not be perceived negatively because it was a symbol of harmony and true friendship. Even he also kissed the hand of Gus Mus in a religious gathering in Rembang, Central Java, in 2004.

"Whenever I met Gus Mus, as the younger man, I always kissed his hand, but he always refused to have hand be kissed. For some reason. This is my habit anytime I meet the individuals I do respect. I'm not just kissing his right and left cheek but also kissing his hand, "Father Budi Purnomo said.

In the Mata Najwa talkshow titled "Panggung Gus Mus" Father Budi Purnomo and Gus Mus performed an incredible duet in playing musical poems titled "Sajak Atas Nama". In the talkshow program, Gus Mus also read a poem titled "Bila Kutitipkan" and "Puisi Islam". (Editing by Masdar)