Papuan religious leaders admit that the government in general has built and paid attention to local development. But there are many things that have not been addressed.
This was conveyed by the Chairperson of the Communion of Churches in Papua (PGGP) Pdt. Hizkia Rollo, STh, MM and Chair of the Jayapura City-wide Fellowship of Churches (PGGS), as well as Chair of the 167 Year HPI Seminar and Conference in Tanah Papua Pdt. James Wambrauw, MPH on the sidelines of the 167th Anniversary of the Gospel Preaching Day (HPI) in Papua in the Province, at the Pier Parking Yard, Papua DPR Office, Jayapura, Saturday (5/2/2022) evening.
The 167th HPI in the Land of Papua, which carries the theme of the Fire of the Gospel Continues to Burn from the Land of Papua, is a collaboration between the Communion of Churches in Papua (PGGP) and the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of Papua.
The 167th HPI in Papua was attended by Papuan Governor Lukas Enembe, SIP, MH, PGGP Management, 58 church denominations and congregations in Papua.
The 167th HPI was special, because it was attended for the first time by the Minister of Religion (Menag) Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, who was represented by the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Dr. Pontus Sitorus, SPak, MSi.
The Minister of Religion in his speech broadcast via video said that HPI in Tanah Papua is commemorated every February 5 and has become a special holiday in Papua Province.
The Minister of Religion said that HPI was celebrated to commemorate the entry of two missionaries from Germany, Carl Willem Otto and Johan Gottlod Geissler, who first arrived on Mansinam Island, West Papua on February 5, 1855 to spread Christian teachings.
He said this event marked the start of the transformation in the Land of Papua, formerly known as New Guinea, which was still covered in darkness in all aspects to a new civilization thanks to the development carried out by the church and government.
"Papua is actually a peaceful land, even though the majority of Papuans are Christians, but the life of inter-religious harmony in the easternmost province of the Republic of Indonesia is maintained, harmonious in the life of society, nation and state," said the Minister of Religion.
The Minister of Religion explained that harmony between religious communities in Papua has been well established, because each individual prioritizes togetherness and respects differences in beliefs.
"The situation and condition of the Papuan people who uphold the spirit of tolerance from various kinds of life need to be maintained, because this is a big capital in building a Papua that is peaceful, independent, prosperous and just," said the Minister of Religion.
According to the Minister of Religion, the condition of Papua is in line with the religious moderation advocated by the current government.
The government continues to encourage religious moderation as a step, to foster tolerance in social life so that in religious harmony, namely internal harmony between religious communities, inter-religious harmony with the government can be realized.
For this reason, said the Minister of Religion, the main values that form the foundation of tolerance are expected to grow from religions through their teachings and practices.
“Love your neighbor as yourself is the commandment of Jesus the Great Teacher. We can implement this teaching and practice that those who are not your brothers in faith are your brothers in humanity,” added the Minister of Religion.
As Minister of Religion, I hope that Christians in Papua will remain and continue to be role models in tolerance and humanity and not be trapped in excessive fanaticism, so that what is a common goal can be realized, namely religion as a means to achieve God's pleasure in a harmonious and peaceful life. .
The chairman of PGGS in Jayapura City (PGGS) Pdt. James Wambrauw, MPH. (Photo: Makawaru da Cunha)
Changes in Various Aspects of Development
Hizkia Rollo said that when the gospel came in and the civilization of Papuans began to be resurrected, there were changes in various aspects of development in Papua, both in the religious field, but also in the development of human life.
"We hope that the Land of Papua is able to get out of the real darkness and enter a new stage that we are experiencing right now," said Hizkia Rollo.
According to him, the Minister of Religion's view is extraordinary for togetherness, harmony so that the entire development process can take place well.
"If there is chaos, the development process will not work in fields and sectors," he said.
Therefore, he explained, the prayers of all religious leaders in Papua and the leadership of church institutions are in the hope that the heart of the Minister of Religion will become one, so that we can find common ground for the process of developing Papuan civilization.
"Today we also cannot deny that research has taken place in various education sectors in the Central Highlands of Papua, where the HDI is low or still the same as before," he explained.
Therefore, he said, the hope of the Minister of Religion being in collaboration with the process of developing the land of Papua through the involvement of religious leaders, will forge a common path towards a better future for Papua.
"I think the conclusion I can draw from the Minister of Religion is in the hope for development in Papua in the religious field, but also related to all the development of human life," he said.
Not Involved Church
Meanwhile, James Wambrauw said that the development that had taken place in Papua so far had not directly involved the church.
Although there are aids, such as assistance to churches. But actually the people of Papua or the land of Papua cannot be built only partially.
"HPI encourages how the government is really serious about collaborating with the church and entrusting the church to build it, because it is the church that owns the people here," he explained.
According to him, the government is a facilitator in general, but what goes into it, such as the problems that occurred in Papua, is that the church knows better, the church has documents, the church has people.
"But sometimes it's not synergistic, because the church has thoughts like this, the government has this way, so problems still happen, because the gap between these issues is always intertwined," he said.
"Why can't it be solved, even though the population of Papua is small and the problems are very clear, there is violence, there are people who are being evacuated. They can't enjoy the learning atmosphere, the worship atmosphere, and so on," he said.
He said the church has this concern, so with the existence of the 167th HPI in Papua, the government must really deal with problems in Papua.
“We ask the government to seriously talk to churches, especially PGGP. The PGGP already has the basis for the denomination of the elemental leaders," he said.
"So let the government be a mediator in accelerating development in Papua," he concluded.
0 Komentar