Another Church Disputed
Ardi Mandiri | December 23, 2011
Following outcry over the closure of the Yasmin church in Bogor, another place of worship there has been ordered to halt its activities by a local mayor. (JG Photo/Safir Makk
Bogor. A local mayor in Bogor has ordered a Catholic church in a residential area to halt its activities, winning the support of a Muslim group but fuelling fears of growing intolerance in the West Java district.
Bogor district head Rachmat Yasin issued the order, arguing that the Santo Joannes Baptista church's construction, in Parung, had been in violation of planning rules because of its location.
A group calling itself the Muslim Community of Parung Bogor pledged its support for the mayor, placing a banner near the church stating that it was backing Rachmat's decision to outlaw the parish's activities.
"The [Santo Joannes Baptista] church has been there for six years," said Hasis Jalil, the coordinator of the group.
"The construction of the church was against the regulations regarding the building of a house of worship, because it was built close to private residences."
Bogor is also where the GKI Yasmin church has been embroiled in a long-dragging dispute with the city administration, which has sealed the church building and refused to lift a ban on the activities of the church, despite the Supreme Court demanding it to do so.
The case has attracted condemnation from rights groups around the world.
Speaking on the Santo Joannes Baptista dispute, the Bogor district head said the parishioners were still allowed to worship, but that it should take place in an appropriate location.
"The site is not for a church; it is a [residential] house turned into a house of worship. It is a violation," Rachmat said.
"Moreover, they worship on a regular basis."
He also said that while the government respected religious rights, the congregation should respect prevailing regulations.
The district chief added that authorities had nothing to do with the banner that was put up near the church. "That banner needs to be taken away," he said.
The pastor of the church, Gaib Simbul Pratolo, said the banner had surprised him. "We have been worshiping peacefully for six years," the pastor said. "Even the neighborhood chiefs helped secure the services."
The Catholic congregation has 2,000 members.
Meanwhile, the head of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI) and the head of its interreligious relations commission, Benny Susetyo, expressed his disappointment at the latest developments in Bogor.
"I am really concerned. This incident has sullied the values of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," Benny said, referring to Indonesia's motto of Unity in Diversity.
He said that for six years, there had been no conflict between the church and the people living in its vicinity.
"The problem arose when a group of people started to disturb the calm in the region around the house of worship," he said, without identifying the group.
Benny added that the district authorities had not only failed to be firm in dealing with the matter but had repeatedly rejected demands made by the church for a permit, without giving any reason.
"This is despite us having clearly followed the procedure for the construction of houses of worship," he said.
Related articles
Hundreds Turn Out for Bogor Rally to Denounce Besieged Yasmin Church 4:20pm Nov 28, 2011
How a Molehill Grew Into a Mountain of Intolerance 11:20pm Nov 17, 2011
Human Rights Watch Inspects Yasmin Church 9:09am Sep 12, 2011
GKI Yasmin Vows to Keep Fighting for Bogor Church 12:22pm Apr 13, 2011
Bogor Wrong Over GKI Church: Jurist 11:10am Mar 23, 2011
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