Papua has long been in a tense state for many reasons. There are civil wars between tribes and also a conflict in West Papua. Amids all of this there are roles of religion in Papua Indonesia peace force.
These roles are being taken up by the local religious figures in Papua. Their roles are not only important but vital to the peace situation in Papua. It shows that certain parties and figures are concerned about the well-being and state of the region. In this article, we will discuss their role in bringing peace and justice to Papua.
The Leader of Religion in Papua Indonesia on Stopping the Violence
In some regions in West Papua, the members of the council of churches have formed a document asking the head government to force peace and hold a meeting between the tribe people and the government. They deemed it necessary to end the military operations against the indigenous peoples of Papua.
The document formed by the head of government is to stop the violence that has been going on for years in Nduga, Jntan Jaya, Puncak, Kwirok, and Maybrat. These documents are already being shown to other local priests in the area.
The activity of violence is being shown in the year 2021. The council of churches asks to have a dialogue of peace to stop this activity. The Christian leaders also stated that they are focusing on the safety of all individuals, so there will be harmony between people in Papua.
This shows how the religious figures of Christians in Papua have some role in bringing justice and peace to the people. Their role in religion in Papua Indonesia is not only on the surface, but also as members of society, in order to impose peace and safety on the community.
The Dialogue and Peace Process
The integrity of the religious figure in Papua can be traced back many years. In 2011, amidst the violence against certain people in Papua, the church became the beacon of life that brought peace to the people.
Christian and Catholic leaders have been vocal in their opposition to the Papua conditions. as improper health care, inadequate educational structures and systems, and also the exploitation of resources in this region. They stress the facts of the matter to bring justice to the community.
There is also the support of the Pacific Conference of Churches, or PCC, in demanding the people’s justice. Their role is to support the liberation of any kind of violence done in Papua.
The PCC also gathers the support of the church leaders, community, groups, and political figures in the region to raise awareness of the oppression in the area. Not just to build awareness, the PCC also encourages actions to stop any violence in the land.
In doing so, the local leaders and church leaders have formed a peace meeting with the former President of Indonesia. This meeting is done by giving a letter to the president to have a dialogue about the problem in Papua.
This dialogue also asked for certain actions from the President. Such as the stopping of operations that caused many deaths of local people.
The PGI, or Communion of Churches in Indonesia, also has a certain role in establishing a Papua Desk located in Jakarta. This Paoua Desk is to take research and advocacy issues concerning Papua.
Conclusion
Whatever the reason, the ability to keep society at peace is the most important aspect of living in a society. What these religious figures show is that we must force peace in every aspect of life for a perfect living situation. It is about the role of religion in Papua Indonesia. It may be gruesome work, but someday it will show its results.
