Religious leaders across Indonesia are calling for decisive government motion to curb growing intolerance, following a string of violent incidents and the targeting of Christian places of worship.
The call was made in a press release issued by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia jointly with Protestant, Buddhist and Confucian representatives.
It urges Jakarta to “intervene firmly” against any form of non secular intolerance, particularly when accompanied by violence, Fides News Agency reports.
“No one should go unpunished in the event that they commit anarchic acts, especially in the event that they goal prayer and worship activities in any a part of Indonesia,” the statement reads, warning that every attack undermines the nation’s constitutional commitment to non secular freedom.
The appeal follows several troubling cases.
In July, in West Kalimantan’s Kapur village, a Christian congregation was recently denied permission to construct a church after Muslim neighbours claimed it will disrupt peace and harmony.
A proper letter from residents to their village leader opposed the development, despite reassurances from Krisantus Kurniawan, the Deputy Governor of West Kalimantan, that the province goals to be one in all Indonesia’s most tolerant regions.
The Regent of Kubu Raya publicly condemned the opposition, calling it a violation of constitutional rights, and promised an investigation, in keeping with International Christian Concern.
Similar tensions were reported in East Kalimantan in May, where villagers in Sungai Keledang repeatedly displayed banners opposing the creation of a church, despite the congregation meeting all legal requirements, including support from the Interfaith Harmony Forum, Samarinda City Ministry of Religion and dozens of local residents.
Religious leaders warn that such incidents will not be isolated.
The Bishops’ Conference statement referenced multiple recent attacks, including the destruction of Christian worship sites and harassment at a Protestant school.
The signatories stressed that religious sites must be preserved as “spaces of peace, security, and dignity,” and called on state authorities, the Forum for Religious Harmony, and the broader community to work together to stop future hostility.
An example of how serious the religious intolerance has turn into is the death of an 8-year-old Christian boy in Riau Province in May, which drew national outrage.
According to Morning Star News, Khristopel Butarbutar died days after being physically assaulted by Muslim peers. His father, Gimson Beni Butarbutar, says the attack was fuelled by each ethnicity and faith-based bullying.
The case has intensified demands for stronger protections for minorities, especially in schools.
The Indonesian Constitution codifies the proper to freedom of faith under Articles 28 and 29, obligating state authorities to safeguard worship without discrimination.
Faith leaders now insist that this constitutional promise must translate into concrete motion—each to guard existing congregations and to make sure the proper to ascertain recent places of worship without intimidation.
The joint statement concluded: “Each episode of aggression, prohibition, or disruption of prayer is a serious blow to the development of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
“Any act of intimidation, violence, or unilateral restriction of non secular activities violates the law and undermines the elemental values of life together as residents of the identical nation.”
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