Executed Indonesian Christians denied the last rites
-24/09/06
The three Indonesian Ch
Executed Indonesian Christians denied the last rites
-24/09/06
The three Indonesian Christians who were on death row accused of inciting violence against Muslims in 2000, and who were executed by firing squad on the night of 22 September 2006, were denied the last rites ñ reports Dan Bergin on Independent Catholic News.
Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus Silva had repeatedly denied any involvement in the riots. Many church and human rights groups campaigned for the men’s reprieve and a reopening of the case. The execution was delayed in August 2006 after an appeal from Pope Benedict.
Before the execution, the three men were not allowed to see a priest and receive the Sacraments. Father Tumbelaka, parish priest at Poso’s Saint Therese Parish church who had been visiting them, was refused access to them by the Prosecutors Officers.
The Office has also denied the church permission to take the bodies to a chapel of rest in Palu St Mary’s Cathedral as they had requested.
“I am deeply disappointed that the Prosecutor’s Office rejected their demand to be confessed and receive the Sacraments one last time,” he said.
The decision violates Indonesian law which grants death row convicts the right to have their last wishes granted.
Father Tumbelaka has celebrated Mass for the men’s families.
“There are no more tears in our family . . . we have lost the power to cry,” said Robert Tibo, Fabianus’s eldest son. In his last public statement, Robert’s father, Fabianus, said he was “not afraid of dying.” Instead, he said: “I am praying that my family be able to provide for themselves and forgive me for not being with them all these years.”
Previously known as Celebes, Sulawesi is Indonesia’s fourth largest island. 80 per cent of residents are Muslim, while 17 per cent are Christian.
[Also on Ekklesia: Christians ignore call to forgive and riot following Indonesia executions 23/09/06; Indonesia steps up military security as Christians face execution 21/09/06; Campaign continues for Indonesian Christians facing death; Indonesian Catholics face imminent execution; Retrial call for accused Indonesian Christians; Indonesia steps up military security as Christians face execution; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Muslim cleric told to help imprisoned Christian in vision Christians remember dead after Indonesia bombings; Church congregation attacked in Indonesia; New bomb blast threat to Christians in Indonesia; Christian peacemaker released after help from Muslims; Indonesian Christians in fear after attacks and beheadings; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls; Arrests in Indonesian Muslim-Christian conflict zone; Protestant leader framed, says human rights group Jubilee Campaign]
Executed Indonesian Christians denied the last rites
-24/09/06
The three Indonesian Christians who were on death row accused of inciting violence against Muslims in 2000, and who were executed by firing squad on the night of 22 September 2006, were denied the last rites ñ reports Dan Bergin on Independent Catholic News.
Fabianus Tibo, Marianus Riwu and Dominggus Silva had repeatedly denied any involvement in the riots. Many church and human rights groups campaigned for the men’s reprieve and a reopening of the case. The execution was delayed in August 2006 after an appeal from Pope Benedict.
Before the execution, the three men were not allowed to see a priest and receive the Sacraments. Father Tumbelaka, parish priest at Poso’s Saint Therese Parish church who had been visiting them, was refused access to them by the Prosecutors Officers.
The Office has also denied the church permission to take the bodies to a chapel of rest in Palu St Mary’s Cathedral as they had requested.
“I am deeply disappointed that the Prosecutor’s Office rejected their demand to be confessed and receive the Sacraments one last time,” he said.
The decision violates Indonesian law which grants death row convicts the right to have their last wishes granted.
Father Tumbelaka has celebrated Mass for the men’s families.
“There are no more tears in our family . . . we have lost the power to cry,” said Robert Tibo, Fabianus’s eldest son. In his last public statement, Robert’s father, Fabianus, said he was “not afraid of dying.” Instead, he said: “I am praying that my family be able to provide for themselves and forgive me for not being with them all these years.”
Previously known as Celebes, Sulawesi is Indonesia’s fourth largest island. 80 per cent of residents are Muslim, while 17 per cent are Christian.
[Also on Ekklesia: Christians ignore call to forgive and riot following Indonesia executions 23/09/06; Indonesia steps up military security as Christians face execution 21/09/06; Campaign continues for Indonesian Christians facing death; Indonesian Catholics face imminent execution; Retrial call for accused Indonesian Christians; Indonesia steps up military security as Christians face execution; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; Muslim cleric told to help imprisoned Christian in vision Christians remember dead after Indonesia bombings; Church congregation attacked in Indonesia; New bomb blast threat to Christians in Indonesia; Christian peacemaker released after help from Muslims; Indonesian Christians in fear after attacks and beheadings; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls; Arrests in Indonesian Muslim-Christian conflict zone; Protestant leader framed, says human rights group Jubilee Campaign]