Construction of a Catholic church in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan province has begun after Muslim-dominant local groups withdrew their objections. Source: UCA News.
The ceremony to mark the formal start of construction for Saints Peter and Paul Church at Kapur village was held on August 6.
Sujiwo, a Muslim and regent (chief) of Kubu Raya district who played an important role in the dispute resolution, attended the groundbreaking ceremony.
He laid the first stone and said the construction was a result of a long process that involved the Church committee, Catholics and local authorities.
“I congratulate the committee and all the faithful who have gone through a long process until construction could finally begin,” he said.
Regent Sujiwo said his support for the Church was part of his duty to uphold religious freedom under Indonesia’s state ideology and the 1945 constitution.
Indonesia’s constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to embrace a religion and worship according to their faith, he said.
Parish priest Fr Donatus Jensi said the local Catholic community welcomed the regent’s support for the long-awaited project.
“We are very grateful because the regent has always paid attention to all houses of worship without discrimination. His presence encourages us to realise the construction of this church,” said the priest, a member of the Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord.
Church construction committee head Stivenes Tjin Siam said the church building is designed to accommodate up to 1200 people.
The Church construction project stalled after 10 neighbourhood associations signed a letter on July 8 last year and urged the village head not to issue a permit for the Church, sparking widespread controversy.
Regent Sujiwo intervened, met with local Catholics and Muslims, and termed it a result of miscommunication. He also said that objection to church construction violates the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
About 87 percent of Indonesia’s estimated 287 million people are Muslims, according to official data. Christians make up about 10 percent, or about 30 million people.
In West Kalimantan, 60 percent of about 5.6 million people are Muslims, and Christians make up about 34 percent.
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Indonesian church construction begins after objection withdrawn (UCA News)
