Bishop condemns West Papua violence after Catholic teacher killed

Rosalia Rerek Sogen, 30, from the Diocese of Larantuka, died in a raid in the district of Anggruk on March 21. Eight other people – teachers and health workers – were seriously injured.

A separatist armed group known as the Eden Sawi-cum-Sisipa Battalion set fire to a classroom and the teachers’ dormitory after their demands for money were not met. The separatist group justified the attack by claiming that the teachers and health workers were undercover military personnel.

Bishop Yanuarius Teofilus Matopai You of Jayapura in Indonesia sent a statement to Crux saying the conflict in Papua has persisted for decades, beginning with the controversial Act of Free Choice (Pepera) in 1969, in which 1025 people selected by the Indonesian military in Western New Guinea voted unanimously in favour of Indonesian control.

The majority of the population of West Papua is Christian, even though Indonesia is predominantly Muslim.

“This conflict has claimed countless lives from various groups, including the Indonesian military, the West Papua National Liberation Army and civilians,” said Bishop You.

“Reports indicate that thousands have lost their lives, whether in direct combat or due to the broader impacts of the conflict, such as starvation, disease and psychological trauma.

“The Catholic Church strongly condemns this violence as a violation of human rights. The Church emphasises the importance of a peaceful dialogue between Jakarta and Papua to end the cycle of violence that brings only suffering.

“The Church calls for collaboration between the government, customary leaders and religious communities for a solution that is humane and rooted in love, justice and peace,” the statement concluded.

FULL STORY

A Catholic teacher is killed in Western Papua, an area of Indonesia | Crux (By Nirmala Carvalho/Crux)

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