Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jayapura (Agenzia Fides) – A peaceful march through the city streets, asking all the citizens to make an effort in good will and to always treat each other with a spirit of reconciliation in Indonesia: this is what the local Church was aiming for in the initiative it carried out on September 21 in Jayapura, led by Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar, OFM, Bishop of the city. The march was attended by priests, religious, and laity from the entire city, even members of other religions, all united under the motto: “Papua, land of peace,” which is the name of a campaign for reconciliation that is reaching out to all the regions of the land.
The campaign invites all the citizens of Papua (province in the eastern end of the Indonesian islands, also known as “Irian Jaya”) to unite in working for peace in a region torn apart by conflict, human rights violations, and social discord that impede progress and human development.
The organizers are calling for truth, mutual respect, justice, an end to impunity, honesty in government, and all other basic values needed for the region’s development.
The campaign is being promoted mainly by the Franciscans (religious and lay members) in the various dioceses of Papua, who are working tirelessly to encourage healthy relations and be mediators in the midst of conflict, especially through the “Justice and Peace” Commission in the local Church.
Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar affirms that, “the testimony we wish to give should contribute to building a peaceful union of coexistence among all ethnic, religious, and cultural groups, and among the various political parties. The divisions bring conflict. The efforts for communion and peace are helping our people to overcome this danger.”
The Bishops has invited all people to prepare spiritually and with concrete gestures of peace for the “Day for Peace in Papua,” scheduled to take place on February 5, 2009 on a civil and religious level.
Indonesia’s Papua has for years been marked by conflicts between the Indonesian armed forces and the movement for independence. The local people accuse the police of abuse of human rights, murder, and torturing. In Papua, 80% of the population is Christian, 15% Catholic, with a small percentage of Muslims and Spiritists. The people have a great trust in the Church’s efforts towards reconciliation, the defense of human rights, and the country’s progress. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2008)
