ASIA/INDONESIA - Suicide attack on a Catholic church in Sulawesi: security measures strengthened for Holy Week

Makassar (Agenzia Fides) - Outrage and fear in the Indonesian Catholic community, which embraces the community of Makassar, in the south of the island of Sulawesi, hit by a suicide attack on the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, yesterday morning, Sunday, March 28, while the faithful celebrated Mass on Palm Sunday. The attack was recalled by Pope Francis in the Angelus of March 28: "Let us pray for all the victims of violence, in particular the victims of this morning's attack in Indonesia, in front of the Cathedral of Makassar", said the Pope.
The parish priest of the cathedral, Father Wilhelmus Tulak, has stated that at the time of the explosion, which occurred at the side entrance of the church, the Eucharist was being celebrated while there were many people in the square. Two terrorists on motorcycles tried to enter the church and were stopped by security guards and died in the explosion which caused at least 20 wounded, who are still in hospital, as reported to Fides by Fr. Alfius Tandirassing, priest of the Archdiocese of Makassar and member of the Makassar Youth Commission. "Priests, religious and faithful who were in church are safe. So far there have been no victims except for the perpetrators of the attack. Some people were slightly injured", he says.
In a statement sent to Fides, the Archdiocese of Makassar says it is concerned and "condemns the incident and all kinds of violence, urging all people to remain calm and vigilant", and informs that the liturgical and pastoral activity will stop for a few days, hoping to be able to resume it for the Easter celebrations.
"It was a cruel attack. Now we need to remain calm and trust the authorities", said Gomar Gultom, head of the Indonesian Council of Churches.
The police, who have launched the investigations, have revealed that one of the two suicide bombers was a member of a radical movement that supports the Islamic State (IS) and that it has carried out previous attacks on churches in Indonesia and the Philippines. According to investigators, this is the "Jamaah Ansharut Daulah" (JAD) group, also responsible for attacks in Jolo, Philippines, in 2019. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called the attack an "act of terror". "Terrorism is a crime against humanity: I ask the whole world to fight against terrorism and radicalism, which are contrary to religious values", he said.
Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, has strongly condemned the attack in Makassar. "It is an atrocious act that aims to cloud the tranquility of social life. It is an action very far from the teachings of any religion", he said, calling for effective police action to discover internal and international criminal links and networks. The Minister has urged the police to increase security measures in places of worship across the country, in view of the Christian holiday of Easter.
In Indonesia in recent years there have been suicide attacks on churches and public places. In 2018, three churches in Surabaya East were hit. The churches bitterly remember the attacks at Christmas 2000 and other attacks in 2004. Indonesia is a country with 270 million inhabitants, 230 million of whom are Muslims. There are 24 million Christians in the country and among them 7 million are Catholics. (ES-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 29/3/2021)

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