Christian Celebration Banned
Posted on December 12, 2007
Filed Under News, Religion
Indonesia is making the headlines on World Divided again today, and this time the news are coming not from a remote island, but from the Indonesian capital Jakarta itself:
The authorities in West Jakarta stop a parish priest from celebrating mass
The Christ’s Peace Parish Church was shut down under pressure from Muslim extremists who have challenged its legal status. Its resident priest wanted to celebrate at least Sunday mass, but local authorities have “strongly advised” him against it. Some 4,000 local Catholics now feel like they have been forced “underground,” denied the right to practice their faith.
So much tolerance, it’s overwhelming.
Indonesian authorities have prevented the parish priest of Christ’s Peace Church in South Duri (West Jakarta) from celebrating mass. The Catholic parish church in which the function was supposed to take place is at the centre of controversy ever since a group of Muslims have challenged its legal status. As a result of strong pressures from Muslim extremists Tambura Sub-district officials banned all activities in the church to avoid “social tensions.”
The parish priest, Fr Matthew Widyalestari MSC, signed an agreement forcing him to cease all activities in the church but expressed a desire to celebrate a Sunday mass for his 4,000 parishioners who now find themselves unable to practice their faith.
On Friday after a meeting between local Catholic leaders and officials from the West Jakarta District and the Tambura Sub-district, local political authorities insisted on cancelling the Eucharistic function as well. The same reason or excuse was given, “public order,” and the fear of sectarian clashes as Father Widyalestari told AsiaNews.
“The faithful want their spiritual needs fulfilled; they feel like they are on a most wanted list, forced underground to find another place to practice their religion,” the priest said.
Where are these 300 Christian clerics who apologized to Muslims for Crusades and the results of the war on terror?
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