the commitment of the diocese of Jayapura

In the mountains of Indonesia’s Papua, new army operations against independentists have forced hundreds of people to flee into the jungle. The appeal to the authorities of Bishop Matopai You, who also mobilizes parishes at Christmas to help displaced people in their own land.

Jayapura () – Displaced people fleeing clashes that have intensified in the Indonesian region of Papua will be able to return to their homes before Christmas. It is the appeal launched in recent days by the bishop of the diocese of Jayapura, Monsignor Yanuarius Theofilus Matopai You, reviving attention on the forgotten conflict that is shaking the western part of the great island of Papua, where the army has been fighting for decades. of Jakarta and the independence groups in an extensive territory rich in natural resources.

The prelate called for all military operations in the Bintang Mountains regency – in the area closest to the border with Papua New Guinea – to be stopped and for all security personnel on the ground to regroup and keep their distance from the Papuan population fleeing. Specifically, there are at least 401 Papuan temporary refugees seeking refuge and a safer place in Oksop district.

“We have created an independent investigation team made up of the Diocese of Jayapura, the Justice and Peace Commission of the local Papuan Franciscans and the Human Rights Group of the Protestant Church to investigate the case,” reads the public appeal made public. At the same time, the diocese has launched a fundraising campaign in all parishes asking all the faithful to help make the return of refugees to their homes possible.

The gesture is also significant due to the fact that Bishop Matopai You is the first local indigenous Papuan figure to be appointed by the Holy See as bishop of one of the five dioceses of the island of Papua. According to the bishop, the operation was launched by security agencies in early December, forcing people seeking refuge to move. Most sought refuge in the deep, dense jungle, which probably made them vulnerable, among other things due to lack of food and psychological stress. «As temporary refugees (in their home territory), these people undoubtedly suffer psychological stress and lack of food. If this unfortunate situation is not adequately addressed soon, it will lead to a humanitarian catastrophe as the elderly, pregnant women and all children will suffer a host of problems,” said the Bishop of Jayapura.

For this reason, he added, I have urged all priests and our Catholic community to show their closeness and compassion towards them. Please help me bring them home with your donations. The bishop asked all parishes to collect essential items such as rice, milk, instant noodles, cooking oil, eggs and money. College students from the Bintang Mountains studying in Jayapura have also set up a collection center at the Waena Men’s Dormitory Complex. One of them, Binius Kakyarmabin, also on behalf of his colleagues, specified that the initiative is also open to non-Papuan university students: “We are willing to accept all help and deliveries of food and drink from everywhere to solve the problem.” , said.

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