The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), an ecumenical body, condemned the bomb blasts, including a suicide bombing that targeted three churches in Indonesia’s second-largest city, Surabaya on May 13, in which 14 people were killed and more than 40 people wounded. Reverent Mathews George Chunakara, general secretary of the CCA, expressed deep condolences to the victims of families and stated that the attack carried out against worshiping communities during Sunday services is a heinous crime, which is not justifiable by any religion.
As reported by mattersindia.com, Rev. Mathews George remarked that “The attacks on churches in Surabaya are deliberate attempts by forces of evil in Indonesia that aim at destroying the country’s long nurtured and cherished values of religious harmony and the foundation of the long-cherished ‘Pancasila’ principles, which accept religious pluralism and call for unity in diversity.”
Rev. Mathews also appreciated the response by the leadership of Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) and urged the faithful to stay calm in the face of violence and reminded them that members of the Christian communities must leave the responsibilities of handling the situation to the government.
Source: www.mattersindia.com
