Advertisement ICNICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Indonesia: priest says Christian fundamentalists are provoking violence


Fr Benny Susetyo

Fr Benny Susetyo

In the wake of attacks on three churches in Temanggung, Indonesia, a Catholic priest said that newly-arrived Christian evangelical preachers have been provoking hostile reactions from the local population. Father Benny Susetyo, Executive Secretary of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue of the Indonesian Bishops Conference, said: "there is discontent, disharmony, discomfort, and verbal violence coming from Christian fundamentalist preachers. These are Protestant Christian preachers, often makeshift, from evangelical and pentecostal denominations, who have no respect for other religions."

He said their preaching and their language was "typical" of sects. "They say: 'Islam is evil' - 'convert or go to hell'. All this results in anger and hatred among the population, which then explodes into anti-Christian violence."

This is what happened in Temanggung, where Antonius Richmond Bawengan, accused and imprisoned for blasphemy, is a Christian who had no hesitation in spreading material which is offensive to Islam.

"On the other hand," notes Fr Susetyo, "there are Islamic extremist groups, of the Wahhabi ideology, which constitute the other side of the problem. They are both small groups, but when fanatics collide, the whole society and all the faithful pay for it."

These groups of Protestant Christian derivation are conducting a massive campaign of proselytism in Western and Central Java, and throughout Indonesia, causing the angry reaction of radical Islamic groups. In the middle is the Catholic Church, which continues to pursue a fruitful dialogue with the major Muslim organisations in Indonesia, such as Nadhlatul Ulama (60 million members) and Muhammadiyah (40 million), who have always demonstrated the peaceful face of Islam.

Unfortunately with these groups, noted Fr Benny Susetyo, it is not even possible to engage in constructive dialogue, as "they are uncontrollable and refuse to attend the big official sessions of interreligious dialogue, "just like in the last few days, during the 'Week for Harmony between religions'."

In any case, concluded Fr Susetyo, "the government is absent and does nothing to stop these different extremists, or to protect human rights and the spirit of Pancasila, which is the basis of peaceful coexistence between religions."

Source: Fides

Adverts

Sisters of the Holy Cross

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon