JAKARTADAILY.ID - The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) strongly condemns the forced and provocative act of stopping worship that was carried out against the Kemah Daud Christian Church (GKKD) on Sunday, February 19, 2023, in Rajabasa Jaya Village, Rajabasa District, Bandar Lampung City.
The video for the forced cessation of worship has been widely circulated and has caused unrest among Christians.
PGI General Secretary Rev. Jacklevyn F. Manuputty regretted that cases like this were still happening after last January 2023, at the 2023 National Coordination Meeting of Regional Heads in Sentul, President Jokowi sharply criticized the ban on building houses of worship and emphasized that the constitution guarantees freedom of worship and religion.
"The forced termination of the GKKD Congregation in Bandar Lampung is in itself contrary to President Jokowi's appeal, as well as undermining the mandate of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of worship and religion," said Pastor Jacklevyn in a written statement quoted on Monday, February 20, 2023.
PGI understands that there are rules that must be met in order to build a house of worship.
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Even so, incomplete permits should not be a reason to forcibly stop an ongoing worship service, especially since the cessation was carried out in a very undignified way, and caused terror and fear.
PGI asked the government and security forces not to allow cases like this to recur without firm and transparent legal action.
The state's inaction will result in the decline of state authority, the development of distrust, and the accumulation of friction at the grassroots level which can be ignited at any time by irresponsible people into open conflict.
To the GKKD servants and Congregation, as well as Christians as a whole, PGI recommends remaining firm and persevering in faith in Christ.
"Continue to maintain the spirit of national brotherhood while prioritizing the values of love in responding to this incident," he stressed. ***
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