Christian Post, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005 Posted: 7:57:58PM EST
Indonesia Church Torched in North Sulawesi; Holiday Security
Heightened
Islamic militants torched a church in the Indonesian Province of North Sulawesi,
Thursday night, raising fears of more violence to come during the Christmas holidays.
The recent blaze at Beth Eden Protestant Church in the city of Manado brought
serious damage to a large section of the building. Stephen Low, the church's pastor
reported to Asia News that he had received threats over the phone beforehand from
unknown callers threatening to burn down the church.
City police and the province's anti-terrorism unit are now on the look out for those
responsible for torching. The only witness at the scene, a ten-year-old boy, could not
provide much evidence on the identity of the perpetrators.
For the holidays, more than 6,000 security personnel in total have been deployed with
increased vigilance at religious sites, according to Superintendent AS Reniban, the
local police spokesperson.
"Churches and other worship buildings have become our top priority to secure along
with entertainment centers, shopping compounds," he said to Asia News.
Reniban also said the police would "do our best to counter any possible bomb attacks
by terrorists."
Around 23 areas in North Sulawesi have been identified as potential bombing targets,
so far, and are now under heavy guard. In the island nation's capital of Jakarta more
than 640 churches have already been placed under police protection in the previous
days.
Nahdatul Ulama, Indonesia's larget Islamic organization, has also vowed to guard
churches throughout the Christmas season.
A number of Muslim volunteers along with police have set up checkpoints near
churches, searching all passers-by for dangerous materials or substances. In the
province of East Java, 200 paramilitary volunteers from Muslim groups have joined
police to search anyone entering church, including Catholics ! and Christians.
The Rev. E. M. Pattinasarane from the Inter-Churches Cooperation Forum of East
Java urged churches to be responsible for their own protection, and that the police
were just "additional resources."
Churches have also urged worshippers to not bring items that would draw
unnecessary suspicion from the security detail.
The Bishop's Conference of Indonesia and the Synod of Christian Protestant Church
issued a joint pastoral letter says, "Let us not be afraid as God always secures our
existence."
The letter also stated that though security will remain a concern in Indonesia for years
to come, the churches have hope that the situation will improve.
The nation's National Intelligence Agency Chief Syamsir Siregar, meanwhile, urged
Christians to take courage against the threat of violence, during a meeting of police
chiefs and Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu leaders.
He also warned leaders to be wary of bombing tha! t may occur during the Christmas
celebrations.
Most leaders, however, hope the holiday season will pass without violence.
The Rev. Chrysta Budi Praetyanto said that Christmas "must be welcome with
greatest joy, not with fears."
The Executive Secretary General of the Bishop's Conference, Fr. Alex Soesilo Widjojo
SJ, expressed hopes that the joint Christian-Muslim cooperation would prevent further
attacks.
Hudson Tsuei, hudson@christianpost.com
Copyright © 2005 The Christian Post.
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