Central Java: Islamic extremists attack sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, repelled by police
Jakarta
(AsiaNews) - Tensions remain high in central Java, where a crowd of a thousand
Islamic extremists have targeted a shrine to the Virgin Mary: For security
reasons, yesterday the authorities suspended the programmed church service,
while dozens of policemen and soldiers guarding the place of Christian worship,
fearing further - possible - violence. According
to the protesters, incited by Muslim extremists, the building has no building
permit required by law (the infamous IMB) and, over time, from "simple
house of prayer" it has become a real church. The
faithful respond that "in more than 40 years" there has never been an
incident of sectarian nature.
After
the three Christian churches - two Catholic and one Protestant - were forcibly closed
in Java in recent days (see AsiaNews 07/05/12 Extremist
threats in Aceh: authorities close three churches), the attention of Indonesian Islamic
extremists has now shifted to the shrine of Lady Mary in Sengon Kerep, Sampang sub-district
in Gedangsari in Gunung Kidul regency in Yogyakarta (Central Java province). Sunday,
May 6th a mob of a thousand fanatics tried to seal off the building, but the
intervention of soldiers and police foiled the attack.
The
full name of the shrine of the Virgin Mary (pictured) is Taman Maria Giri Wning Sengon Kerep and in local language, it means "The garden of the silence of Mary
Sengon Kerep". Over
the past three years the place of worship has undergone a major restoration
work, and has always attracted a huge crowd of believers with one purpose:
prayer.
Among
other things, the sanctuary belongs to the Wedi parish in the district of
Klaten, which is famous for the contribution it has made over the years to the
Indonesian church and, more particularly, the Archdiocese of Semarang. There
are hundreds (if not thousands) of priests, nuns, men religious from the area,
supported with passion and devotion by the faithful. Even two
bishops were born in the parish of Wedi. This
is why there is special devotion and attention to the Marian shrine and the
Catholic community will continue to be vigilant to preserve its integrity. In a message to the faithful Msgr. Johannes
Pujasumarta Pr, Archbishop of Semarang, called for calm and for faithful not to
give in to provocation: "Do not show or respond with violence - said the
prelate - even if the tension continues to grow."
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23/08/2017 11:54
