The attack took place last Wednesday in a village called Picuan (East Minahasa). No one knows why the attack was carried out, but some blame outsiders who also set fire to some local houses and cars parked in front of the local police station.

For safety reasons, authorities suspend a function in program for yesterday. However, the place of worship, highly popular among faithful and pilgrims, will remain open. Attackers claim building does not have proper permit. The Archbishop of Semarang calls for calm: do not respond to provocation.

This is the proposal that has emerged during the meeting in Jakarta between the parties interested in mediation. The Muslim place of worship, together with the Christian one, reflecting harmony as already is the case in the capital. However, the Mayor of Bogor claims to have advanced this solution ...

Police patrol the place of worship, targeted in a raid last April 20 a few hours after Friday prayers. There are no injuries, but the building was seriously damaged. Controversy on the security and protection provided by the authorities. For Minister of Religious Affairs the Muslim minority is ...

Forced by extremists and the authorities to meet in secret, churchgoers still hold Holy Week services, meeting at various private homes to avoid attacks. The head of the Synod of Indonesian Churches appeals to the authorities to respect religious freedom.

The 33% increase would have taken effect tomorrow. Yesterday, more than 15,000 people blocked the center of Jakarta, clashing with police. Dozens of injured officers and shops that have been attacked. Even parliament is rejecting the increases.

Local officials have blocked access to the site and require the removal of the sacred building, dedicated to St. Ignatius. The curia emphasizes that building permits are in order and defends respect for the legitimate rights. Diocesan Secretary: the Church "will never sell property to others."

The ban would take effect from May and is part of the country's morality campaign. It will not regard the tourist resorts of Bali and Papua, where tribal people live. Criticism from human rights activists. Former President Megawati speaks of a diversionary tactic to divert attention from real ...

The building site was seized on 21 March, and is now surrounded with barbed wire. For Catholics, it is a patent violation of religious freedom since the building committee had all the right papers. Some local Muslim groups claim that signatures were falsified. The local government said it wants to ...

A member of the Islamic Council ruled that Lady Gaga is 'too sexy' for Indonesia.

The two men, in their 30s, fired on the place of worship with air rifles. Police will not disclose their identity. Investigation into motive of the act. In their getaway vehicle, a luxury minivan, map of Gki Church and other "important" objectives in the country found.

A document calls for the demilitarization of the leaders of the Indonesian province, the release of political prisoners and the removal of the ban on public assemblies. Native and Tribal "marginalized in their own land." Self-determination only way for a peaceful solution. But the underground ...

A growing number of tribal people are embracing Islam in the province. Priests and missionaries cannot easily reach remote communities and villages, whilst Muslim merchants from Java and South Sulawesi move to the province and, with the pretext of providing goods and services, attract natives.

Dayak tribal and activists are asking the government to ban the extremist group, because it constitutes "a threat to interfaith harmony." After Central Kalimantan and Jakarta, other Dayak tribes are supporting the campaign. Accessions also from Muslim youth movements, committed to the promotion of ...

In a special session of the Chamber, the delegates of the Christian community are forced to leave the hall. Despite the Supreme Court ruling, faithful denied right hold religious services. For the Indonesian President it is not a matter of "freedom" of worship, but "lack" of a building permit.

Up to a million people took to the streets of Singkawan, to attend celebrations for the Cap Go Meh. In recent days, extremist leaders have shouted slogans against the party, branded as "anti-Islamic". Authorities and police have monitored security, no major accident or collision.

After three years of decline, a sharp increase in requests for admission to the seminaries. The St. Peter Canisius in Mertoyudan, run by Jesuits, is celebrating the 100 year with a record number of students. Most come from the archdiocese of Semarang.Bishop of Purwokerto: "huge number".

The new facility should be completed in the next two years and cover a 5-hectare area at the cost of 10 billion rupees. The WWF and the IUCN sound the alarm, raising the species’ status from “endangered” to “critically endangered”. The authorities call on locals to work with conservation ...

A field research study in Central Java by the Setara Institute found that young radical Muslims are an army of potential recruits for Jihadist groups. Recent arrests of young terrorism confirm the study’s findings.

The local leader of Nadhlatul Ulama demand police intervention against the head of the Shiite community Tajul muluk. According to the indictment he is fomenting sectarian divisions and promoting "illegal teachings " about Islam.

Indonesia issued a tsunami warning after a powerful earthquake struck off Aceh province, where around half of the 230,000 people killed by a 2004 tsunami resided.

Hundreds of members of Banser, a paramilitary group, moderate; have protected the Christmas celebrations of the GKI Yasmin Church in Bogor against the threat of radical Islam. Their presence has also been noted in central Java, to protect churches.

Fundamentalists attack the faithful of the parish of St. John the Baptist in Parung. Threats of attacks if prayers services are held. For Islamists, the building has nopermit. Allegations rejected by the local faithful. For the Executive Secretary of the Bishops' Conference it is a clear violation ...

A group of believers build bathrooms, pave floors and other jobs for households without toilets. Even in non-Christian families. Last year the community promoted the "reforestation" of the area, getting the support of the ministry and the police. Priest promotes visits to families in remote areas.

The act of vandalism occurred last night in Sendag Prawito (Semarang Archdiocese), in a small chapel devoted to Our Lady. A cross was also stolen and some religious objects were destroyed. The archbishop demands Christians be protected during the Christmas period.

A fundamentalist group is appealing to local government, to obtain the closure of places of worship. They allege the faithful do not have a building permits (IMB). In reality, the local government refuses to release the documents, despite the clearance from provincial authorities. Threats also ...

A global study of 180 countries by Maplecroft places the two Asian nations at the top. Indonesia is losing about 1 million hectares of forest a year to farming and industry. China leads the way in reforestation despite high pollution and strong demand for lumber.

The controversy over the construction of a Protestant church denied a permit by mayor continues, despite the Supreme Court ruling. Both parties seek support from different Muslim organizations.

Diani Budiarto, regardless of a ruling by the Constitutional Court, will not guarantee freedom of Christian worship to the Yasmin Church of. Muslim Professor calls on the government to punish the official, but warns that one case of intolerance should not be generalized. Priest recalls the attacks ...

High Court cuts Abu Bakar Baasyr’s 15-year prison sentence down to nine. Wiretapped phone conversations that show his responsibility could not be entered as evidence during the trial.

Two dead, dozens of wounded and injured, and scores of arrests are the result of an operation by Indonesian security forces against the Third Papuan People’s Congress. The province’s independence was proclaimed during the assembly, which picked a president and a prime minister. Yudhoyono opts for ...