Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Banda Aceh (Fides Service) - Father Chris Riley, an Australian Catholic priest who arrived in tsunami-ravaged Indonesian province of Aceh on 7 January to set up an orphanage, sparked a warning from hard-line Islamic group not to try to convert Muslim children. Threats from the Radical Islamic Defenders Front reveal the obstacles placed by Islamic fundamentalists with regard to people who wish only to help and to protect Indonesia’s endangered young generation in an authentic spirit of solidarity.
Caritas Australia told Fides that this reaction by radical Muslims can prevent humanitarian aid in the province. Father Riley is head of the Australian charity Youth Off the Streets which saves street children and provides them with education. The priest told Fides that “there is no religious component to any of our programmes to help orphans” he explained that the charity was nondenominational and even had Muslims working it in and that he “came to offer humanitarian aid” and not teach “catechism”.
The priest said that the children needed special care and that it is necessary to work with caution and transparency to dispel fears that Christian helpers might want to convert Muslim children. The volunteers of “Youth Off the Streets” say it is very necessary to operate in this sector because there are an estimated 35,000 orphans in Aceh. The volunteers say they work with the help of local people including Muslims so as not to cause any more tension in the region.
At this initial stage the organisation hopes to open a tent orphanage for street children from the most remote areas Aceh with a large camp organised for their life and their needs.
Unfortunately religious fundamentalism exasperated by ideological reasoning hinders those who ask for nothing and are animated only by humanitarian principles. These are two ways of looking at the same situation. When ideology overrides faith and altruism, it ties the hands of people who want only to help those in need.
(Agenzia Fides 11/1/2005 righe 34 parole 456)
