UCA News
Contribute

Indonesian police to question priest on treason charge

Father John Djonga led prayer service attended by members of alleged Papuan separatist group
Indonesian police to question priest on treason charge

Father John Djonga leads a prayer service to inaugurate the office building of the Papuan Customary Council in Wamena, Indonesia, on Feb. 15. Police later sought to question the priest on possible treason charges. (Photo courtesy of Flori G.)

Published: February 23, 2016 10:24 AM GMT
Updated: February 24, 2016 02:59 AM GMT

Indonesian police are seeking to question a Catholic priest over possible treason charges for leading a prayer service attended by members of an alleged Papuan separatist group.

Father John Djonga was summoned by police to appear at the station in Wamena on Feb. 19. However, the priest refused to appear, telling ucanews.com that police also needed to contact his superiors at the Jayapura Diocese and that he needed to retain counsel before agreeing to meet with investigators.

Father Djonga led a prayer service on Feb. 15 to inaugurate the office building of the Papuan Customary Council, where a banner of the separatist United Liberation Movement for West Papua was unveiled.

"I came to the program as a priest on behalf of the Catholic Church. I just led the service," he said.

"The council fights for the Papuan people so that they can be free from poverty. It also fights against human rights violations and for other social issues. I prayed for this during the service," he said.

Father Djonga, a noted human rights activist in the province, said he told police to send him a second letter in which diocesan officials also were notified "as I serve the diocese."

He faces up to four months in prison by declining to answer the initial summons.

Father Yulianus Bidau Mote, chairman of the diocese's Commission for the Laity, said Father Djonga's presence at the ceremony was as a priest representing the diocese, therefore police needed to contact the diocese before summoning one of its priests for questioning.

"Don't just send a letter. As an institution, the local police must be able to provide the diocese with notification," he told ucanews.com.

Police said they wanted to interview Father Djonga as a possible witness to an act of treason; it was unclear if the priest was a suspect himself.

According to Papua Police Chief Inspector Gen. Paulus Waterpauw, police had questioned three witnesses so far.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia