Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jakarta (Fides Service) - “The attack was connected with international terrorism, not the local political situation. It does not affect the situation of Indonesia’s Christians”: local Church sources in Jakarta told Fides after the bomb blast which devastated the Australian embassy in the Indonesian capital.
“The attack comes on the eve of presidential elections in ten days time. It has triggered dear and concern among people mainly because it is not certain who was responsible for the bombing”, local sources told Fides.
“Although the attack would appear to be connected with the problem of international terrorism rather than national politics, it may affect the country especially with regard to the economy. Indonesia is still recovering from the effect of the 1998 economic crisis in south East Asia. And also on the political level because the country it taking its first steps on the path of democracy after its first ever democratic elections held this year” the sources told Fides.
“The choice of the Australian embassy is a sign that this is no local plan: the attack was aimed at a neighbouring economic power which supports the US led coalition in Iraq”.
“Indonesia’s Christians, including the Catholics, as such are not affected. We have excellent relations with the national Muslim community which is tolerance and peace loving. There is no friction between Christians and Muslims at either the level of religious leaders or the grassroots level”.
Indonesia has a population of 210 million: 85% Muslim, 13% Christianity (including more than 6,300,000 Catholics), 2% other religions. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/9 /2004 lines 24 words 245)
