The Jakarta Post, 2/9/2005 8:37:13 PM
Riot under control in Atambua after bishop steps in
ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara (Antara): Authorities in Atambua, Belu regency had
to bring on Wednesday Bishop Anton Pain Ratu to calm down a crowd enraged when
a Protestant refused a Roman Catholics holy wafer during a Mass.
The Mass, which was led by Anton in the Atambua Cathedral, was part of
Wednesday Ash ritual to start a Catholics fasting period.
Anton managed to calm down the crowd and asked them to return to their homes and
leave the matter to the police.
The man, identified as JT, did not immediately swallow the holy wafer but kept it.
When asked by other churchgoers why he did not swallow the holy wafer, JT admitted
that he was a Protestant who was following his Catholic girlfriend.
The confession sparked the churchgoers to secure him. Others even wanted him into
their own hands.
Police officers and soldiers were unable to hold the crowd forcing them to fire blank
shots into the air. The crowd just got even angrier.
This prompt Belu Regent Joachim Lopez to get Anton to calm the crowd.
"I was more insulted than you are when the holy wafer which we believe as the
representation of Jesus' body was desecrated. But this does not allow as to kill a
man," Anton told the crowd.
Joachim said he would hold a meeting with other Belu agencies to discuss the
matter.
Meanwhile, Belu police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Ekotrio Budhiniar said the man had been
brought to East Nusa Tenggara provincial police headquarters for further questioning.
"However, we will stage the trial here in Atambua," he said.
"I also apologized because my officers shot inside the cathedral compound," he
added.
Although Indonesia is a pre-dominantly Muslim country, East Nusa Tenggara province
has a majority Roman Catholics population just like its neighbor, fledgling East Timor.
(***)
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