While in Tanah Papua, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit met with Indonesian and Papuan church leaders.
“We support
the struggle for human rights of the people of Papua. We urge an end to
the ongoing violence and impunity. We support the call for social and
economic justice through serious dialogue and a concrete political
process that seeks to address root causes of the present problems,” said
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC).
Tveit was in Tanah Papua from 17 to 20 June, as part
of his ten-day visit to Indonesia. Tanah Papua has a prominent Christian
presence, with more than 45 diverse denominations. The province has
remained the focus of tensions between the authorities and the Papuan
people.
Tveit's visit to Tanah Papua took place following the
issuance of a WCC Executive Committee statement in February expressing
concern over the violence and urging a peaceful resolution.
“The Indonesian government must consider the
realities of Papuan people and ensure a secure future for them,” said
Tveit. He went on to say that “struggles for both justice and peace in
Papua reflects the urgency and timeliness of the theme of the WCC's
upcoming assembly 'God of life, lead us to peace and justice'”. The WCC
assembly will take place in 2013 in Busan, Korea.
While in Tanah Papua, Tveit visited several churches
including WCC member church the Evangelical Christian Church in Tanah
Papua (GKI-Tanah Papua). Among other churches he visited were the
Protestant Church in Indonesia (GPI Papua), the Evangelical Church in
Indonesia (GIDI), the Baptist Church in Papua, the Christian Church of
Holy Word (Gereja Kristen Kalam Kudus) and the Christian Missionary
Alliance (Kristen Kemah Injil Church).
The general secretary was invited to preach at the
GKI Pengharapan Jayapura Church on Sunday 17 June where he reflected on
Roman 8:31, “If God is for us, who is then against us?” “We need the
proper dynamics between Christian humility and Christian self
confidence,” Tveit said in his sermon.
Tveit also met with government officials,
representatives of non-governmental organizations, independent movements
and interfaith networks, who updated him on the Papuan situation.
In his meeting with the Indonesian church leaders in
Jakarta on 25 June, Tveit said that the purpose of his visit to Tanah
Papua was to understand the situation better. “The visit was also a
continuation of the WCC's engagement with human rights concerns around
the world,” he said.
The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (CCI).
Commenting on the Papuan situation, Rev. Dr A. A.
Yewangoe, general chairman of CCI, said that “it is not only the
socio-political situation in Papua which is significant but also the
cultural and ethnic identity of its people which needs to be
appreciated.” Yewangoe also stressed the need for positive dialogue and a
peaceful resolution of conflict.
More:
- WCC expresses concern over human right violations in Tanah Papua
- Read full text of the WCC Executive Committee statement
- WCC member churches in Indonesia
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