Indonesian Bishops Decry Country's Blasphemy Act

(12 Feb 10 - RV) The Indonesian bishops, along with leaders of other religious minorities, met with the Indonesian Parliament earlier this month.

Speaking on behalf of the bishops, Monsignor Pujasumarta, Bishop of West Java and Secretary General of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, reminded the lawmakers of the many Christian and Catholic churches that have been burned or closed down by Islamic extremist groups in recent times.

Yesterday the Constitutional Court in Jakarta held its first session to review Indonesia’s 1965 law against religious blasphemy.

Angela C. Wu, International Director at the Becket Fund, says the Blasphemy Act is irreconcilable with Indonesia’s constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion to all people.