JAKARTA (UCAN): After a 33-year wait due to objections from local Muslims, the Archdiocese of Jakarta gained a new parish church on September 14.
Ignatius Suhartyo Cardinal Hardiatmodjo inaugurated the Calvary Catholic Church in Lubang Buaya in East Jakarta City, for the Archdiocese of Jakarta during a Mass concelebrated by 25 priests and attended by thousands of faithful.
The parish had been struggling to obtain a building permit since 1991, even purchasing an additional piece of land to fulfill the government norm of providing 40 per cent of the total land area as open space.
However, objections were raised. In 2009, some Muslims in Lubang Buaya signed a letter objecting to the construction of the church.
The parish then formed a special team to approach Muslim religious figures. In 2021, the parish obtained a permit from the governor of Jakarta, Anies Rasyid Baswedan.
Cardinal Suharyo hoped that the congregation would view the long wait for the church from a faith perspective and not as “wasted time.” He said they can take advantage of the new church to grow in faith.
The parish had been struggling to obtain a building permit since 1991, even purchasing an additional piece of land to fulfill the government norm of providing 40 per cent of the total land area as open space
The cardinal recalled the theme of Pope Francis’ recent visit—“Faith, Fraternity, and Compassion”—and said it was an important thing to always remember.
Parish priest, Father Johan Ferdinand Wijshijer, said that the church’s inauguration “was the culmination of the 33-year-old dream of the congregation,” adding, “This is a joy that is difficult to express in words.”
Father Wijshijer said, “Indeed, there are radical groups. But because we received support from religious figures, they did not dare to interfere.”
East Jakarta Administration mayor, Muhammad Anwar, who was at the inauguration, said the church will be beneficial to the residents Lubang Buaya.
According to a government rule, written consent from local residents, including Muslims, is needed to get a construction permit for a place of worship.
The 2006 joint regulation of the ministries of home and religious affairs requires religious communities to obtain 90 signatures from their own community and 60 signatures from other local residents to get the permit.
The rule was widely criticised by rights groups for making it difficult for minority religious groups to establish places of worship. Muslim groups often oppose the construction of churches.
In November last year, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Cikarang in Bekasi Regency, received permission after an 18 year wait.
In January, St. Benedict Church in Padalarang subdistrict in the Diocese of Bandung started construction after a 15-year delay as its license was withheld because of resistance from local Muslims.
