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 Although the congregation was initially granted permission in 1980, their permit was revoked following public protests.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.
In contrast, the Batak Karo Protestant Church in Kalibaru, a village located in West Java's Depok City, was able to receive its permit on March 4th of this year. The congregation gathered to lay the first stone of the church building on July 5th, commemorating the start of construction. However, the celebration was disrupted when hundreds of local residents suddenly arrived at the building site and began demonstrating against the construction.
Opponents of the worship facility claim that there was a lack of communication, even though the church had obtained the required approval from 60 percent of the local community's members. Some opposing residents also argue that the area already has two churches and, therefore, does not require another. Despite this opposition, the Christians intend to continue the construction process in accordance with the legal approval they have already received. For previously published reports on the challenges facing Indonesian followers of Jesus, go to our country profile.
- Pray that there will be peace – along with a willingness to accept the new Christian facility – among the residents of this village, allowing the Batak Karo Protestant Church to complete the construction project without any further opposition.
- Throughout the mediation process, may the Lord grant Christian leaders and their congregation members wisdom and grace as they engage with those who had opposed the presence of churches in their communities.
- Continue to intercede on behalf of the numerous other churches throughout Indonesia that are still working through the complex permit process, praying that each of these congregations will soon have a place in which they can peacefully gather and freely worship as well.
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