Muslim Group Presses to Shut Catholic Church in West Java

A small Muslim group in West Java Indonesia has called for the closure of a Catholic church just weeks before Christmas. The group claims the church renovation does not have proper approval.

About 20 members of the Islamic Empowerment and Development Agency known as BP2UI staged a protest on December 6. They gathered outside St Vincentius A Paulo Catholic Church in Tlajung Udik village in Bogor Regency.

The protesters accused the church of being illegal and demanded that the building be shut down. They claimed the church was built years ago without proper agreement from the local community and said renovation work should stop until a new permit is issued.

Local officials rejected those claims. Ahmad Sjukri head of the Bogor Regency Religious Affairs Office said the church permit was already confirmed as valid. He said a meeting held on November 17 concluded that all legal requirements had been met.

He added that while people are free to express their views in a democracy any objections should be raised through legal channels rather than street protests.

The church also strongly denied the accusations. Church lawyer Siprianus Edi Hardum said the building has been legal for more than two decades. He said the church received an official building permit in December 2000.

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According to the church the permit was issued under government rules that were in force at that time. Those rules clearly state that houses of worship approved before newer regulations remain valid. Renovations are also allowed as long as the location does not change.

Edi said the church renovations fully comply with the original permit and with current building laws. He stressed that no new approval was required under later regulations.

Local leaders also voiced concern over the protest. Gunung Putri Sub District Head Kurnia Indra and others urged authorities and security forces not to be influenced by pressure from groups opposing the church.

The Diocese of Bogor confirmed that the church has a long and peaceful history in the area. The land was donated in 1996 and the church was completed in 2001 with community support. Today the congregation has grown to more than 1800 members.

Renovation work began ahead of Christmas to improve the aging building. Problems surfaced in early October when rumors spread online claiming the church was illegal.

Village head Yusuf Ibrahim later met with church leaders and confirmed that renovations could continue. He also promised protection for all religious communities in the area.

Despite this BP2UI sent a letter to the Bogor Regent accusing the church of being illegal. Church leaders described the letter as provocative and misleading.

Religious freedom groups say cases like this reflect growing pressure on Christian communities in parts of Indonesia. As Christmas approaches the church says it hopes to worship peacefully and without fear.