ASIA/INDONESIA - “Many still living in camps need money to move and rebuild a home: religious communities must forgive and forget and start rebuilding society”: Catholic Bishop appeals for help for Moluccas Islands still suffering affects of violent inter-ethnic clashes

Tuesday, 17 February 2004

Ambon (Fides Service) - “Funds are urgently needed to assist refugees: many are still in camps simply because they have no means of transport or money to rebuild their homes. What the Moluccas need is forgiveness and social-economic reconstruction”: said Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi Bishop of Amboina in the Moluccas Islands in eastern Indonesia, after a resent meeting in London organised by the International Islamic-Christian Organisation for Reconciliation and Reconstruction (IICORR). The IICORR was formed last year to work for the future of the islands after two years of inter-religious clashes between resident Protestant Christians and immigrant Muslims 2000-2002.
“While we were in Europe some people at home were suspicious of our intentions, they thought we were separatists, a threat to Indonesian unity, working with the FKM separatist movement - Bishop Mandagi said, adding - We are ready and willing to forgive them but hope that they will join those who fight and suffer to continue to struggle to rebuild the Moluccas in all aspects”.
Christians in the Moluccas, whether individuals or churches, cannot be identitifed with separatist movements - the Bishop said - “We have always worked for the good of the people to promote social, political and religious harmony «.
After the IICORR meeting Bishop Mandagi and other religious leaders Protestants and Muslims, signed statement declaring “deep commitment to the process of reconciliation in the Moluccas and to adopt all available means to strengthen peace, stability, friendship, trust and respect between the Christian and Muslim communities in the Moluccas”.
IICORR also adopted a plan of action to promote reconciliation and reconstruction emphasising social aspects: supply the people of the Moluccas with structures and means in the fields of health-care and education; increase cooperation at university campuses; coordinate work of local NGOs; help to resettle refugees and orphans, and at the economic level, promote small industries, fishing and timber, and trade.
For their part religious communities promised to give special attention to youth and women and children, teach the value of reconciliation and set up an monitoring body to watch for and prevent outbreaks of tension.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/2/2004 lines 38 words 400)


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