On December 13, the Cimahi municipal government sealed a church building, located in a housing subdivision, with a sign hanging on the gateway stating: ‘This building is for a residence and may not be used for worship services or similar activities’, leaving its pastor Titus distressed.
Church officials had long ago applied for a permit, with the application delayed in bureaucracy without explanation, as commonly happens to Christian attempts in Indonesia. The building had been used for worship for decades without any objection from the surrounding community.
The 2,000 square-metre building has sufficient parking and is enclosed in such a way that congregational praise is not too loud for those outside the building. The car park is on a back corner of the subdivision, so does not interfere with traffic.
Crowd of 500
Pastor Titus said opposition did not begin until December 1, when a mob of 200 Muslims gathered and demanded that use of a residence for worship cease. Later about 500 Muslims arrived, asserting that only a church building could be used as a place of worship. Before the week was over, the local government had sealed the property.
This event was repeated at another church in Indonesia where a mob had forced a pastor to agree not to hold worship services in his church building.
