A Moral Calling For Papuan Catholic Priests From Five Dioceses In Papua And West Papua Propinces In Indonesia

“A moral calling for papuan catholic priests from five dioceses in papua and west papua propinces in indonesia for humanity, justice, truth and safety of original papuan people on his ancient land”.

1. THEME:

1. The Joy of Papua Province for the Success of Time of National Sport XX（PON XX. However, the people are hiding the deep sorrow. They are going through Nduga people, Kiwirok, Intan Jaya, Puncak and Maybrat.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE CALL

2. Following up on the moral appeal of 147 Catholic priests throughout Papua, on December 10, 2020: “Violence breeds new problems. To solve it requires dialogue and reconciliation, a dignified way to resolve the longest conflict in Papua.”

3. Humanitarian events in Maybrat: Based on the Press Release, on October 02, 2021: ”Stop Military Operations in Maybrat, free the Wrongly Arrested Civilians, and resolve the Maybrat Conflict Peacefully, which was created in Sorong-West Papua, by the Coalition of Civil Society Care for Refugees Major”.

4. Humanitarian events in Kiwirok, District of Star Mountains: ”Hundreds of houses in Kiwirok were bombarded by the Soldier Nation of Indonesia. Rocket-type bombs are fired from the air, using helicopters. Some failed to explode.  Hundreds of civilians reportedly fled to Papua New Guinea.  It is not yet estimated how many lives and houses were destroyed.  Many people got sick and died of hunger in the forest.  Currently the people need humanitarian assistance (Papua News, 20 October 2021).
5. Statement of Attitude and Call for Armistice by 36 Priests from Timika-Papua Diocese on October 31, 2021 in Timika.

 III. THE BASIS OF OUR CALL

6. Approximately 58 Years of the Ideological Political Conflict between Original People of Papua and the Government of Indonesia took place. This conflict triggers the birth of armed violence in the Land of Papua to this day. The main role of the Church is as a peacemaker and enforcer of justice and truth. The church must not remain silent when faced with the reality where there is suffering and oppression, where injustice and deprivation of the basic rights of society.

7. The task of the Church is to speak out for the voiceless and to be a promoter of justice, truth, and peace. Church leaders should be more proactively involved in fighting for justice, truth and peace;  instead of keeping silent and avoiding the problems of the lives of his people, seeking comfort behind the walls of the diocese, rectory, and convent buildings. In short, that the joys and sorrows of God’s people are also the ups and downs of the Church.

8. A Catholic priest has three duties of Christ that he presents, namely: the Priest, the King, and the Prophet. The task as a priest is to guard and serve spiritual matters around the altar or worship. The task as a king is more to organize or regulate the order, the rules of the life of the people, and the organizational system. His duty as a prophet is to pay attention to all the realities that occur in social life, the lives of God’s people, including the various acts of violence and injustice that sacrifice them.

9. The reality of this kind of social inequality requires us to act immediately or respond to it in various ways, including this moral call.

On this occasion and in a situation that worries people’s lives today, the prophetic function has its place.  We are carrying out our duties as Prophets.  Therefore, this call is a prophetic call.

10. Please keep in mind that we do not interfere with various practical political interests or party politics or the affairs of individuals or groups. We speak out because we long for a safe atmosphere, so that there will be peace, justice and harmony in this land of Papua. If this situation is disturbed due to political situations or personal or group or company actions, let alone resulting in human rights violations, then for the sake of humanity, we must speak out against it.

IV. WHY PAPUA LAND OWNERS ALWAYS BE SACRIFICED?

11. It turns out that there are business octopuses for the benefit of certain people or families and not for the benefit of the Indonesian nation and state (Results of a study from the Indonesian Clean Coalition Reveal Mining Business Octopus (www. Suara.com/news/2021/10/08/154258).

12. Said Haris Azhar (founder of Lokataru Foundation), ”the conflict and military operations in Intan Jaya Papua are seen as a covert effort to protect the interests of an elite group related to gold natural resources in the Wabu block. This shroud is to launch the operations of mining companies related to military retirees, including LBP. Meanwhile, Papuans are only victims. Papua is often the victim or the area is the victim of exploitation of natural resources without justice and transparency.  Many people are victims of deception, Papuans say”.

13. Merah Johansyah from the Mining Advocacy Network (JANTAM) said, ”there are at least 17 names of political elites, six of whom are high-ranking the Sodier of Nation Indonesia generals. Of the 17 actors who are politically exposed persons, six of them have military backgrounds, retired, soldiers, and high-star generals. Four of them are former ministers who are still active”, (Red Johansyah in virtual discussion, Friday 08/10/2021; Clean Indonesia Coalition consists of YLBHI, JATAM, ICW, Kontra, WALHI, Indonesian People’s Faction, Greenpeace Indonesia, and Sajogja  Institutes).

V. OUR CALLING

14. The Land of Papua is not an empty land. In this land, there have been and are living people with black skin and curly hair, Melanesian ethnicity or race and various other ethnicities and races.

15. The land of Papua has belonged to the Original People of Papua since the time of their ancestors before being merged with the Indonesian state. Until now, Original People of Papua exists and lives in a clear division into 7 customary areas, namely: Lapago, Meepago, Mamta, Ha anim, Saireri (in Papua Province), and Domberay and Bomberay (in West Papua Province).

16. Indonesia has always claimed that Papua is part of the Republic of Indonesia since 1969 (after the PEPERA incident) until 2021. During that time, Papuans were taught things such as: ”how to live as good Indonesian citizens, were taught the values ​​of living in a state based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. Some songs were even taught, including: From Sabang to Merauke, One Territoty, One Nation, and the one land. And also, Inonesia is my land, 17 August Year 45, and a flag ceremony and respect for the heroes and the red and white flag”.

17. Therefore, the duty of the state should reflect what is taught, namely: 1) protecting all Indonesian people from Sabang to Merauke, 2) prospering the lives of all Indonesian people. Through equitable development, 3) creating justice and lasting peace for all Indonesian people, and 4) protecting elements of Indonesian society against internal and external disturbances.

17. But the reality speaks otherwise. The latest news from Intan Jaya, about a toddler named Napelinus Sondegau (2 years) was shot in a shootout between the joint Soldiers and Polices of Indonesian troops against the the national soldiers of West Papua guerrillas on October 26, 2021 in the night. The little boy had to survive for a while, but eventually died because the bullet hit his body right in the stomach until the abdominal rope came out.  In addition, there was another victim who was also a minor named Yoakim Majau (9 years old).  The bullet lodged in his body and is still being treated.

18. There are still many humanitarian events that occurred from 1969 to 2021. Everywhere there are calls for Papua not to be the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, Papua to be free. Everywhere there were shootings of civilians for various reasons, including the classic one, namely the （A group of weapons criminality o a Group of weapon criminality Separatism：KKB/KKSB） and they werw a mount of the members of the separatists who were shot.  In fact, the victims are civilians.  Even humanitarian cases like that do not have a transparent legal process, let alone complete.  This fact makes the Papuan people no longer trust the Indonesian government, because of the belief that there is no clear future for Papua with Indonesia.  So many people feel that it is better to be independent, separated from the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.

19. Therefore, our request to the Ambassadors of friendly countries and the Government of the Republic of Indonesia is as follows: ”Considering the problem of the prolonged conflict in Papua, not only about welfare (clothing, food and housing), but also about ideology politics. So, we ask the Ambassadors of friendly countries to: 1) urge all warring factions, namely Soldiers and polices of Indonesia and Soldiers Nationallity of Papua Independent to immediately hold a ceasefire or humanitarian pause; 2) encourage the Government of Indonesia to immediately open a dialogue room with Papuans, in this case with the United LIberstion Movement of West Papua and through Papua Peace Networking);  3) firmly supports the invitation of the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights, so that, he can see and hear for himself the actual human rights condition in Papua;  4) prevent blaming each other in the UN General Assembly, which is very embarrassing.

20. To the Ambassador of the Vatican in Jakarta as a representative of the Catholic Church worldwide, and to the leaders of countries that provide funds to the Government of Indonesia in the name of development and welfare for the people of Papua. We convey the message that: 1) after 20 Years of Special Autonomy in Papua has failed in its objectives; 2) although Papua’s nature is rich (“a little paradise that fell to earth”), its people are poor.  This is confirmed by data from BPS which states that the provinces of Papua and West Papua are ranked one and two of the ten poorest provinces in Indonesia with poverty rates of 28.6 percent and 21.7 percent, respectively.

21. Based on this information, we call on the state and funding agencies for development in Papua to review the forms of cooperation that have been built so far. The reasons for what happened in Papua were: the development of physical facilities as a priority, the addition of organic troops in almost all of Papua. There  was coercion of will, acts of violence, silence on the democratic space, murders that were not prosecuted, and the criminalization of media crews who spoke about truth and justice.  Even the call of the Pastors is seen as skewed, instead they are seen as separatists or supporters of the Soldier of Papua Nation （TPN/OPM）.

22. The question arises: Are the funds or capital used to finance troops operating in Papua? Was the funds or capital used to add war equipment for the shooting and killing of Original People of Papua?  Are the funds used for genocide, ecocide and etnoside efforts slowly and gradually?

22. We appeal to all members of the Soldier and Polices of Indonesia, Inteligent of Indonesia, and affairs of strategy inteligent of Indonesia who are on duty throughout Papua: 1) be aware, the public already knows that the ongoing conflict and military operations are a covert effort to protect the interests of a group of elites in Indonesia in order to dominate and enjoy existing natural resources;  2) We are indeed amazed to have members of the Soldiers of Indonesia, Polices of Indonesia and Inteligent of Indonesia as a force to protect the country and society threats from other countries.  But don’t let you be used as a cover to destroy the people in order to expedite the operations of mining companies associated with retired military personnel, including those named by the Clean Indonesia Coalition consisting of YLBHI, JATAM, ICW, KontraS, WALHI, the Indonesian People’s Faction, Greenpeace Indonesia, and  Sajogja Institute;  3) We are also proud to have members of the soldiers, polices, inteligent, but we are concerned and regretful if you are used only for the benefit of a number of people among the elite, and not for the benefit of the State.  Of course, you have heard the advice of your ancestors or grandfathers and grandmothers or parents when you were young: “Where the ground is stepped on, there the sky is upheld”.  Respect Original People of Papua, the owner of the Land of Papua.  You live and eat and drink on the land of the Papuan people and then you act cruelly towards those who really respect you as their own brother.  What kind of salary are you looking for?  Is it money, rank, promotion, chest award, or hero’s grave?  That’s the reward you’re looking for?  And what reward will you receive from God?  Keep in mind that the Papuans look simple, but they have been entrusted with everything on and in this land by their ancestors, which they have received from God, the Creator of the universe;  4) We emphasize that violence will never solve problems, it will only leave scars and create new problems.  If it is true that Papua is the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, stop all forms of violence, eliminate the intimidation, terror that has been practiced so far, and seek a ceasefire in preparation for dialogue between Papua-Jakarta.

23. To the original people of Papua with different political ideologies: “Pro Indonesian” and “Pro Free West Papua.” We call out to: no longer make this situation worse, for the sake of a humanitarian comfort zone or pause, in order to facilitate the initiation of concrete and strategic steps for the Jakarta-Papua dialogue.

24. To non-Papuan brothers and sisters who live, earn a living and work in the ancestral lands of the Papuans.  We call out to: continue to carry out your works and always pray and maintain mutual comfort, so that there can be a humanitarian pause towards the Jakarta-Papua dialogue.

25. To groups of people who like to confuse the atmosphere in the Land of Papua, through social media by spreading false news that threatens division and pitting fellow citizens. We call on both real and fake journalists to support the steps towards a humanitarian break, by reporting on things that lead to the resolution of the Papua conflict problem.

26.To all parish priests and Catholics in every parish in five dioceses in Papua, to offer special Eucharistic Prayers and celebrations for our brothers and sisters who are suffering due to prolonged conflict.  At the same time trying to distribute aid through parishes and dioceses to be further forwarded to the victims wherever they are, especially in Intan Jaya, Nduga, Kiwirok and Maybrat.

VI. CLOSING

27. These are our calls.  May God, the Almighty, smile when He sees His children begin to stop violence and choose to dialogue peacefully.
28. Dialogue is a very dignified step and method towards solving problems o conflicts in the Land of Papua in a civilized manner.

Yours Sincerely,

(Firms)

We are consist of 194 the Catholic Priest from five diocesis  in Papua:

1. RD. Alberto John Bunai.
2. RP. Paul T. Tangdilintin.
3. RP. Nico Syukur Dister
4. RD. Alfonsius Biru Kira.
5. RD. John E.G. Kayame.
6. RP. Bernardus Bofitwos Baru
7. RD. Paul Tan.
8. RP. Maryanus Koba Toyo.
9. RD. Yanuarius M. You.
10. RD. Adrianus Tuturop.
11. RD. Vicky Bauntal.
12. RD. Benjamin S. Magay.
13. RD. Josias Wakris.
14. RD. John Kandam.
15. RD. Izaak Bame
16. RD. Yulianus Korain.
17. RD. Martin Sheeps.
18. RD. Daniel Gobai.
19. RP. Luke Sasior.
20. RP. Athanasius Bame.
21. RP. Immanuel Air.
22. RD. Immanuel Tenau.
23. RP. Jan Pieter Fatem.
24. RP. Levi Ibori.
25. RD. Edy Doga.
26. RD. Honoratus Pigai.
27. RD. Aloysius Daby.
28. RD. John B. Uttun.
29. RP. Philipus Sedik.
30. RP. John S. Sedik.
31. RP. Alo Teniwut Sedik.
32. RP. Maximilian Dora.
33. RP. Petrus Fenyapwain.
34. RD. Alexius Ate.
35. RD. Floribertus Yoseph S.
36. RP. Agustinus Yerwuan.
37. RP. Cayetanus Tarong.
38. RP. Hilarius Salmon.
39. RD. Markus Malar.
40. RP. Medardus Puji Harsono.
41. RD. Mecky Mulait.
42. RD. Fransiskus B.V.L. Main.
43. RP. Herry Lobya.
44. RD. Yanuarius Yelipele.
45. RD. Francis Hilapok.
46. ​​RD. H. Ngalumtila Pekey.
47. RD. Moses Amiset.
48. RD. Rudolf Renyaan.
49. RD. Abel Yamdua Sanam.
50. RP. Remigius Seran.
51. RD. Hubertus Aweekohabi Magay.
52. RP. Theo Kosi.
53. RD. Selpius Goo.
54. RD. John Klau.
55. RD. Stephen Yogi.
56. RD. Benjamin Keiya.
57. RP. Felix Janggur.
58. RD. Fransiskus Utii.
59. RD. Nikolaus Wakei.
60. RD. Aloysius Susilo.
61. RD. Petrus Lakat Plue.
62. RD. Alexius Fabianus.
63. RD. Emanuel Bili.
64. RD. Adi Bon.
65. RD. Fredy Sabu.
66. RD. Matthew Gratitude.
67. RD. Jermias Rumlus.
68. RP. Paul Trba.
69. RP. Ibrani Gwijangge.
70. RD. Didymus Kosy.
71. RP. Floridus Nadja.
72. RP. Adri V. Durenge.
73. RP. Antonius Tromp.
74. RP. Benedict Jehamin.
75. RP. Hilarius Soro.
76. RP. Konradus Ngandur.
77. RP. John Kota.
78. RP. Damasus Pantur.
79. RP. Liborius Nong.
80. RD. Agustinus S. Elmas.
81. RD. Rufinus EPW Madai.
82. RD. Jems Kosay.
83. RP. Yohanes Sudrijanta.
84. RP. Krispinus Bidi.
85. RD. Hendrikus Hada.
86. RD. Paulus Wolor.
87. RD. Amandus Rahadat.
88. RD. Damianus Adii.
89. RD. Yan P. A. Dou, Pr
90. RD. Agustinus Alua
91. RD. Agustinus Tebay.
92. RP. Lambertus Pati.
93. RD. Yohanes Batlayeri.
94. RP. Martinus Mada Werang.
95. RP. Dominic Dulione Hodo.
96. RP. Alexandro Rangga.
97. RP. Goklian P.H.
98. RD. Cornelis Basa Kopon.
99. RD. Barnabas Daryana.
100. RD. Bartholomew D. Oyan.
101. RD. Petrus Hamsi.
102. RD. Karolus Kune Boruk.
103. RP. Yermias Lado.
104. RP. Modestus Teniwut.
105. RP. Gokmento Sitinjak.
106. RP. Juperdinan Manik.
107. RD. Yohanes Mangguwop.
108. RP. Heronimus Lebi.
109. RP. Ambrose Sala.
110. RP. Philipus Elosak.
111. RP. Bartholomew Urobmabin.
112. RP. Yonas Purnama.
113. RP. Paulus Jab Ulipi.
114. RP. Roni Guntur.
115. RD. Ronald Sitangan.
116. RD. YuvenTekege.
117. RD. Theo Makai.
118. RD. Oktovianus Taena.
119. RD. Yance Yogi.
120. RD. Sebast Maipaiwiyai.
121. RD. Rinto Dumatubun.
122. RP. Paulus Kusworo.
123. RP. Ari Wuardana.
124. RP. John Kore.
125. RD. Damianus Uropmabin.
126. RD. Yulius D.
127. RD. Kleopas S. Sondegau.
128. RD. Augustine Rumsori.
129. RD. Joseph Ikikitaro.
130. RD. Herman Yosep Betu.
131. RD. Justinus Rahangiar.
132. RD. Samuel Ohedyaan.
133. RP. Agustinus Yohanes Setiyono.
134. RD. Robertus L. Tangdilintin.
135. RP. Hendrikus Nahak.
136. RP. Norbertus B. Renyaan.
137. RD. John Djonga.
138. RD. Febronius Angelo.
139. RD. Paul Leopati Yerwuan, Pr
140. RD. Yezkiel Belau, Pr
141. RD. Vincen Budi Nahiba, Pr
142. RD. Silvester Dogomo, Pr
143. RP. Aloysius Du’a, OSA
144. RP. Antonio Vialy Laughter, OSA
145. RP. Daniel Kelmanutu, OSA
146. RD. Francis Sondegau, Pr
147. RD. Yoseph Bunay, Pr
148. RD. Silvester Bobii, Pr
149. RD. Petrus Hisage, Pr
150. RD. Melianus Bidana, Pr
151. RD. Rofinus Robi Hodo, Pr
152. RD. Eko Prasetyo, Pr
153. RD. Yanuarius Yelipele, Pr
154. RD. Yohanes Mangguwop, Pr
155. RP. Kamilus Deno Bakang, SVD
156. RP. Fredy Pawika, OFM
157. RD. Yan Vaenbes, Pr
158. RP. Yohanes Agus Setiono, SJ.
159. RP. Yohanes Sudriyanto, SJ.
160. RP. Ignatius Ulrig Jumeno, SJ.
161. RP. Christoforus Aria Prabantara, SJ.
162. RP. Vincentius Seno Hari Prakoso, SJ.
163. RP. Ferdnandus Tuhu Jati Setya Adi, SJ.
164. RP. Yohanes Harty Kristanto, SJ.
165. RP. Simnon Ciptosuwarno, SJ.
166. RP. Dismas Tulolo, SJ.
167. RP. Yohanes Adrianto Dwi Mulyono, SJ.
168. RP. Albertus Maria Roni Nurharyanto, SJ
169. RP. Injonito Da Krus, SCHP
170. RP. Andreas Madya Srijanto, SCJ.
171. RP. Policarpus Gunawan Setiadi, SCJ.
172. RP. Eduardus Sriyanto, SCJ.
173. RP. Leonardus Ari Wardana, SCJ.
174. RP. Antonius Dwi Pramono, SCJ.
175. RP. Bonnyfasius Juspani Lase, SCJ.
176. RP. Gabriel Keratukan, SCJ.
177. RP. Antoni Tugiyatno, SCJ.
178. RP. Paulus Drian Suwandi, SCJ.
179. RP. Bernardus Beda Kedang, SCJ.
180. RP. Paulus Dodot Kusworo.
181. RP. Petrus Suharjono.
182. RP. Labertus Nita.
183. RP. Agustinus Nuak.
184. RP. Darius Kuntara.
185. RP. Gaspar Bhala
186. RP. Victor Bata
187. RD. Benny Renyaan
188. RD. Yoseph Swastantoro
189. RD. Linus Dumatubun
190. RP. Lambertus Klau
191. RP. Dominikus Kaki
192. RP. Fransiskus Due
193. RP. Andreas W. Karismaningtsya
194. RD. Yohanes Klau