|
Semper Reformanda |
 |
Indonesia: Alliance appeals for prayer and action |
|||||||||||||||
|
Geneva, July 10 2000The World Alliance of Reformed Churches is appealing to its member churches and to Christians around the world to pray for the life and security of the Reformed family and of all people in the strife-torn Molucca islands. The general secretary of the Alliance, Setri Nyomi, has sent a letter of support to the two Warc churches in the islands - the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera and the Protestant Church in the Moluccas - and has also written to President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia and to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan calling for speedy action to end the bloodshed.
On June 26 2000, the Indonesian government declared a civil emergency - one step short of martial law - in the former Dutch Spice Islands, following six days of clashes between Muslims and Christians. The declaration came as church leaders in Ambon called on the UN to stop the escalating conflict, which has killed more than 3,000 people in the past 18 months. In his several letters, Setri Nyomi reiterated the Warc view that religious communities should live together in harmony. "It has always been our basic aspiration and hope that all religious communities can coexist peacefully and work together for peace and justice in the society they live in. We think that religious communities should be a symbol of peace, rather than a source of tension in society... Our concern is peace for all - Muslims, Christians, and people of other religions." He reminded member churches that "for several years, communal conflict in Indonesia has been a source of concern for all Christians and peace-loving people around the world." "It is with deep sorrow," he wrote, "that we have learned that the Indonesian Christian University and the Roman Catholic hospital in Ambon have been burnt down and 113 church buildings destroyed, that 1,000 Christian men, women and children have been killed or have disappeared, and more than 10,000 Christians have been evacuated or have taken refugee on the neighbouring islands... The lives and the means of survival of Christians are under great threat." He noted that Kostrad 141, the infantry battalion which was charged with the security of the Christian population, withdrew in fear of their own lives, leaving those they were supposed to safeguard without protection. "We wonder," he said, "whether the armed forces have the will and capacity to restore and maintain security in the region." In his letter to Alliance member churches, the general secretary of the Alliance urged them to take four actions:
For further details, see below. "I should like to thank you already in advance for all support," he concluded. "Let us pray to God for peace and justice in Indonesia." In his letter to President Wahid, Setri Nyomi said: "Warc is appealing to you, the president of Indonesia, to take all measures in your power to immediately halt this extremely dangerous situation and restore peace among the people in the troubled area. If United Nations special security forces need to be brought in, that option should be seriously considered as a possible way to save the lives of innocent people." "We know that you have done your best to solve the communal conflict since you were elected. We will continue to support your committed efforts. The current development, however, compels us to urge you to immediately stop this crisis. The danger exists that this kind of communal conflict may set others on fire. This is a major threat to peace in the region." "We are confident that under your good leadership peace can be restored." In a similar letter to Secretary-General Annan, Nyomi said: "Warc is appealing to you to intervene. Maybe you would consider measures such as sending United Nations special security forces to restore peace among the people in this troubled area. At this period, while you prepare for the Millennium Assembly, inviting the leaders of religious communities from around the world, we feel that this would be a good opportunity to intervene immediately in a situation where the religious factor is being exploited We are very grateful to you for your endeavours to resolve communal conflicts all over the world. It is with this confidence that we draw your attention to this particular problem. The present situation is a major threat to peace. We urge you to use your good offices to intervene, so that peace can be restored." In a letter of support to the Protestant Church in the Moluccas and the Christian Evangelical Church in Halmahera, Setri Nyomi said that since 1999, Warc has followed closely the growing communal conflict in the Moluccas affecting not only Christians but all peace-loving people, including their Muslim neighbours. He detailed the actions that the Alliance has taken and in conclusion said: "We would like to express the strong solidarity of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and its member churches with you. Please be encouraged by our prayers. We pray that God will accompany and protect you at this difficult time." What you can do to helpSend letters to the Indonesian President and to our member churches in the islands
Gereja Protestan Maluku (GPM)
Gereja Masehi Injili Halmahera (GMIH)
Send financial support for relief work Contributions sent to Warc will be transferred to our two member churches in the Moluccas. World Alliance of Reformed Churches
Please mention the Moluccas appeal.
|
          |