Indonesian churches get extra security for Christmas

Jakarta, December 26, 2013: Christmas was celebrated joyously In Indonesia on Tuesday and Wednesday as security authorities and other elements of communities helped secure the celebrations, Jakarta Post reports.

Celebrations in Jakarta went smoothly as tight security was in place at churches across the capital. More than 300 police personnel and 63 church staffers safeguarded the Jakarta Cathedral, which was packed with thousands of churchgoers during Wednesday mass.

Ucan News reported on Tuesday that the Indonesian police had stepped up security at churches, particularly those that frequently experience interference, to prevent a possible terror threat during Christmas. A total of more than 144,000 combined personnel were deployed nationally to ensure a safe, secure Christmas. Since September radical Muslims have been protesting against the Sunday services.

On Tuesday, Governor Joko Widodo, Jakarta Military Command chief Maj. Gen. E. Hudawi Lubis and Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Putut Eko Bayuseno, paid a visit to the Cathedral to ensure its security. Jakarta Archbishop Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo, who welcomed the city leaders on Tuesday evening, led the Christmas service on Wednesday morning, emphasizing that corruption and religious intolerance were among the biggest threats to the country’s peace.

“Religious intolerance, corruption and a degrading environment are three obstacles that can disrupt this country’s peace,” he said. Inayah Wahid and Anita Wahid, daughters of late former president Abdurrahman Wahid joined the service, saying “I believe that, as a Muslim, it is my duty to help others get their rights to pray.”

St Bernadette, which has about 11,000 parishioners, has obtained a government permit to erect a church but has been consistently hampered by Muslim opposition. For Christmas the faithful held services in a large tent on the land where parishioners hope their church will one day stand.

(Source: UCANEWS/ Jakarta Post)