Peace rebuilt between Indonesian Christians and Muslims
-04/08/06
By Fran Race
Peace rebuilt between Indonesian Christians and Muslims
-04/08/06
By Fran Race
In the midst of other regional tensions, thousands of Muslims and Christians in Maluku, Indonesia, have come together as part of a historic peace building event which will help the continuing transformation of community relations.
In the village of Waai, members of both faiths gathered at the end of last month to witness the laying of foundations for a new Catholic church. The previous building had been destroyed in the wake of the inter-religious conflict that had torn the area apart in 2001.
During the past confrontation, the predominantly Christian village of Waai had been all but razed to the ground after Muslim-majority villages Tulehu and Liang had declared war on it following what were seen as provocations. But now a new spirit is abroad.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid by Archbishop S. Wesoly, who praised the spirit of inter-faith solidarity revealed in the commitment to reconstruct the building.
Bishop Stefan Wylesek from the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, Amboina Bishop P.C. Mandagi, and the head of the Maluku Protestant Church (GPM), the Rev Jhon Puhulessin, also attended the ceremony along with traditional village chiefs.
Those who witnessed the event talked of ìa spirit of reconciliationî. A number of members of the church construction committee also attended the foundation, including Muslims. The village chief of Tulehu said the hostility between his village and Waai was now a thing of the past.
The religious conflict began in 1999 and lasted until 2002, leaving 5,000 people dead and a further half million displaced. Ever since a tentative peace agreement was signed between the communities in 2002, the line separating Christians and Muslims has been slowly disappearing.
The church is to be dedicated to Pope John Paul II, who set many precedents for interfaith dialogue, including being the first pontiff to visit a mosque and a synagogue. He also met leaders from across the religious spectrum, from Buddhists to Native Americans.
Fran Race is a reporter for Ekklesia and a member of All Hallows Anglican church in Leeds.
[Also on Ekklesia: Arrests in Indonesian Muslim-Christian conflict zone; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy; Christians face proselytism charges in Indonesia; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Christians remember dead after Indonesia bombings; New bomb blast threat to Christians in Indonesia; Churches respond immediately to Indonesia earthquake; More church agencies gear up aid for Java quake zone; Churches call on Indonesian Government to address Malukus violence; Mennonites describe Indonesian earthquake horror; WCC lends support to quake-hit Indonesian churches]
Peace rebuilt between Indonesian Christians and Muslims
-04/08/06
By Fran Race
In the midst of other regional tensions, thousands of Muslims and Christians in Maluku, Indonesia, have come together as part of a historic peace building event which will help the continuing transformation of community relations.
In the village of Waai, members of both faiths gathered at the end of last month to witness the laying of foundations for a new Catholic church. The previous building had been destroyed in the wake of the inter-religious conflict that had torn the area apart in 2001.
During the past confrontation, the predominantly Christian village of Waai had been all but razed to the ground after Muslim-majority villages Tulehu and Liang had declared war on it following what were seen as provocations. But now a new spirit is abroad.
The cornerstone for the new church was laid by Archbishop S. Wesoly, who praised the spirit of inter-faith solidarity revealed in the commitment to reconstruct the building.
Bishop Stefan Wylesek from the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, Amboina Bishop P.C. Mandagi, and the head of the Maluku Protestant Church (GPM), the Rev Jhon Puhulessin, also attended the ceremony along with traditional village chiefs.
Those who witnessed the event talked of ìa spirit of reconciliationî. A number of members of the church construction committee also attended the foundation, including Muslims. The village chief of Tulehu said the hostility between his village and Waai was now a thing of the past.
The religious conflict began in 1999 and lasted until 2002, leaving 5,000 people dead and a further half million displaced. Ever since a tentative peace agreement was signed between the communities in 2002, the line separating Christians and Muslims has been slowly disappearing.
The church is to be dedicated to Pope John Paul II, who set many precedents for interfaith dialogue, including being the first pontiff to visit a mosque and a synagogue. He also met leaders from across the religious spectrum, from Buddhists to Native Americans.
Fran Race is a reporter for Ekklesia and a member of All Hallows Anglican church in Leeds.
[Also on Ekklesia: Arrests in Indonesian Muslim-Christian conflict zone; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy; Christians face proselytism charges in Indonesia; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Christians remember dead after Indonesia bombings; New bomb blast threat to Christians in Indonesia; Churches respond immediately to Indonesia earthquake; More church agencies gear up aid for Java quake zone; Churches call on Indonesian Government to address Malukus violence; Mennonites describe Indonesian earthquake horror; WCC lends support to quake-hit Indonesian churches]