ASIA/INDONESIA - Fides given preview of Catholic Bishops’ statement after Jakarta bomb blast: if politicians, civil society, religious communities unite we will overcome terrorism; religion must no be exploited!

Jakarta (Fides Service) - Sympathy for the dead and the wounded, rejection of violence and exploitation of religion, this and more was expressed in a statement drafted by the Catholic Bishops of Indonesia after the bomb blast in front of the Australian embassy in Jakarta in which 8 people were killed and hundreds wounded.
In the statement - which is still being written - the Bishops voice their dismay for yet another terrorist attack against the people of Indonesia and they reassure the families of the dead and the injured of the closeness and solidarity of the Church.
The Bishops’ Conference denounces the blind act of violence, which follows bombings at the Hotel Mariot in Jakarta in August 2003, and the bomb attack on Bali in October 2002.
Rejecting the logic of violence and death the Bishops urge Indonesia’s civil authorities and people to voice disapproval and indignation at this barbarous crime and to promise personal commitment to work to prevent acts contrary to humanity, civilisation and religion.
The Bishops affirm that terrorism has nothing to do with religion and that terrorist groups exploit religious symbols for purely political ends.
With regard to the international situation of tension the Bishops say that violence and terrorism can be overcome and the wellbeing of humanity can be guaranteed if politicians, civil society and religious communities work together.
While the Bishops say that terrorist attacks do not legitimate the erosion of human rights and freedoms, nor do they justify a violent or militarised approach on the part of any government with regard to social, political or religious unrest, they reaffirm their “no” to the use of blind violence which strikes innocent civilians.
According to Fides sources in Jakarta there is widespread dismay and fear after the bomb blast. “Another bombing. This is a sad day”, local Church sources told Fides.
Indonesian police say up to three militants may have died in what they believe was a suicide car bomb attack. Jemaah Islamiah - the regional militant group accused of the 2002 Bali bombings and a series of other attacks - is thought most likely to blame. Some months ago Australian secret service sources warned that JI was planning to target foreign diplomats and businessmen.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/9/2004 lines 43 words 455)