In Indonesia, peaceful worship emerges from previous tensions
Christian forum helps foster dialogue, promote peace among vulnerable communities
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As the Jakarta Christian Communication
Forum installed its new chairman, members paused to reflect on some of
the organization's accomplishments in fostering dialogue with the much
larger Muslim community and in protecting vulnerable Christian
communities from sectarian violence in Indonesia.
"Leaders from different churches will [always] take more efforts to protect their followers living in danger," Theophilus Bela, former forum chairman, told ucanews.com on the organization's 17th anniversary on March 11 in Jakarta.
A group of Catholic and Protestant leaders formed the forum on Feb. 10, 1999, after religious tensions rose against Christian communities across the country.
In 1996, for example, nearly 50 churches in East Java and West Java were burned down by Muslim extremists. A few years later, churches in other parts of the country experienced a similar fate.
Bela said the forum responded by sending representatives to conflict-laden areas to dialogue with local leaders in order to promote interreligious understanding and promote peace.
Since its establishment, the forum has helped numerous communities. In 2014, 11 churches received support from the forum. Last year, 25 churches obtained similar assistance. Among them was St. John the Baptist Church in the West Java town of Parung.
The parish, which was created in 2000 and now has around 3,000 parishioners, submitted applications to build a church in 2009 and 2011, a request the government still has not approved.
Alexander Makawangkel, a parishioner, told ucanews.com that Muslim residents held several protests in an attempt to thwart the construction plan, leaving the Catholic community feeling threatened.
In response, Bela contacted local Muslim leaders and police officials to seek help in reducing tensions. While a church still has not been built, the parish can worship in peace, often under the watchful guard of local police.
"I immediately contact the national police chief every time there is a disruption to the church, including the church in Parung. That is why they are still able to worship in peace," Bela said.
Makawangkel said that the parish emerged as a stronger, more cohesive community thanks to the forum's intercession.
"We are always in contact with Theo, asking him to approach officials in the police to keep us safe," Makawangkel said.
"Even though we suffer because of such protests, we grew stronger thanks to the forum," he said.
The Rev. Melianus Kakiay, who was installed as the forum's chairman during the program, promised to maintain the organization's commitment to promoting peace.
"I know the most important component is to foster dialogue with our brothers and sisters from other religious backgrounds," he said.
Source: UCAN
"Leaders from different churches will [always] take more efforts to protect their followers living in danger," Theophilus Bela, former forum chairman, told ucanews.com on the organization's 17th anniversary on March 11 in Jakarta.
A group of Catholic and Protestant leaders formed the forum on Feb. 10, 1999, after religious tensions rose against Christian communities across the country.
In 1996, for example, nearly 50 churches in East Java and West Java were burned down by Muslim extremists. A few years later, churches in other parts of the country experienced a similar fate.
Bela said the forum responded by sending representatives to conflict-laden areas to dialogue with local leaders in order to promote interreligious understanding and promote peace.
Since its establishment, the forum has helped numerous communities. In 2014, 11 churches received support from the forum. Last year, 25 churches obtained similar assistance. Among them was St. John the Baptist Church in the West Java town of Parung.
The parish, which was created in 2000 and now has around 3,000 parishioners, submitted applications to build a church in 2009 and 2011, a request the government still has not approved.
Alexander Makawangkel, a parishioner, told ucanews.com that Muslim residents held several protests in an attempt to thwart the construction plan, leaving the Catholic community feeling threatened.
In response, Bela contacted local Muslim leaders and police officials to seek help in reducing tensions. While a church still has not been built, the parish can worship in peace, often under the watchful guard of local police.
"I immediately contact the national police chief every time there is a disruption to the church, including the church in Parung. That is why they are still able to worship in peace," Bela said.
Makawangkel said that the parish emerged as a stronger, more cohesive community thanks to the forum's intercession.
"We are always in contact with Theo, asking him to approach officials in the police to keep us safe," Makawangkel said.
"Even though we suffer because of such protests, we grew stronger thanks to the forum," he said.
The Rev. Melianus Kakiay, who was installed as the forum's chairman during the program, promised to maintain the organization's commitment to promoting peace.
"I know the most important component is to foster dialogue with our brothers and sisters from other religious backgrounds," he said.
Source: UCAN
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