Catholic Chapel Closed in Indonesia While Pressure Mounts to Stop Such Closures

In the latest in a string of forcible church closures in West Java, Indonesia, a Roman Catholic chapel was forced to close by a mob of around 200 Islamic militants on August 27.  According to an August 29 report from Asia News, Father Iwan Pr had just completed the Saturday mass in the village of Margahayu when the mob approached him and ordered him to close the church and stop all services.  To prevent harm to the gathered congregation, Father Iwan complied.  After the mob left, authorities arrived to apologize for the incident, but did nothing more.

Indonesian Vice-President Yusuf Kalla
Pressure is mounting on the authorities to do something about the situation.  More than thirty-five churches have been shut down by militant groups in the past month.  On July 29, Indonesian vice-president Yusuf Kalla called for the immediate end to these attacks against churches West Java.  Speaking to a gathering of Muslim leaders, he said that Muslim leaders must keep their followers under control and that police must take firm action against such violence.  Some moderate Muslim leaders have joined with him in calling for an end to these incidents. 

Pray that Christians in West Java will be free to worship in peace and without fear of violence from Islamic groups.  Pray that the authorities will take decisive action to stop further closures and that those churches which have been closed will be able to reopen.

For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Indonesia, click here.  Go to https://www.vomcanada.com/ to view a twenty-one minute report on the persecution in Indonesia entitled "Island Jihad."

  • Country Information

    Population
    279,476,346 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)

    Leader
    President Joko Widodo (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary law

    Sources: CIA World Factbook.

  • Pray for Indonesia

    Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.

    Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.

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Indonesia News

  • Children Injured in Mob Violence
    A group of children are smiling and laughing. One is playing an ukulele.
    Children in Indonesia.
    Photo: ILO / Yodhi Prasetyo (cc)

    On July 27th, a violent incident occurred in Padang City, Indonesia, when several men attacked a prayer house, which was established to provide religious education to Christian children. Armed with sticks, the assailants ordered the believers to disperse, and then they proceeded to smash the building's windows. During the attack, two children (ages eight and eleven) sustained injuries after being struck by objects that had been thrown amid the violence.

    Read more...

  • Hundreds of Protestors Oppose Church Construction
    A street is lined with buildings and trees.
    Bulukumba Regency
    Photo: Wikimedia / Midori (cc)

    As the church in Indonesia continues to grow, opposition to the construction of various worship facilities remains a major challenge. One Catholic church in the Bulukumba Regency of South Sulawesi has been waiting for 45 years to receive a building permit. Although the congregation was initially granted permission in 1980, their permit was revoked following public protests. Since then, members of the church have attempted to secure approval for multiple locations, but each application has been met with rejection.

    Read more...

  • Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident
    A young boy is walking down a path surrounded by dense greenery. He is mostly silhouetted by the sunset shining between the trees.
     

    An eight-year-old boy, referred to as "KB" in Indonesia's local news reports, tragically died following a severe beating he received from a group of older male students at a school in Pangkalan Kasai, a village located within the province of Riau. According to various sources, the incident occurred because the boy was a Christian and belonged to a different ethnic group.

    Read more...

  • Christian Graves Vandalized
    Two cross-shapped headstones are surrounded by greenery.
    Photo: PxHere

    In what appears to be a targeted act against the Christian community, at least ten graves were recently vandalized in cemeteries throughout the Yogyakarta region of Java, Indonesia. Each of the graves bore a cross, symbolizing the Christian faith of the individuals interred there. The damages occurred in three different cemeteries between May 16th and 19th.

    Read more...

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