The assault has raised concern among Christians, already shocked by the Easter Sunday attacks. Methodist Church president says he trusts the justice system. In his view, Buddhists can enjoy their faith as they wish, and so should let Christians do the same.
The festivities began three days ago with a procession. Yesterday, a solemn mass was held at the Cathedral of Saint Gemma Galgani. OSA missionaries arrived in West Kalimantan from Heemstede (Netherlands) on 6 December 1949. Over the years, they opened a hospital, six rural clinics and as many schools.
The Islamic-Christian dialogue movement released a message of good wishes, inspired by the Document on Human Brotherhood signed by the Pope and the Great Imam of Al-Azhar. The “Abrahamic faith shared by Jewish people, Christians and Muslims can help us and people of other faiths to reaffirm the priority of God, accepting the differences of religions.”
From the leaders of the Iraqi Church the hope of a return of families displaced by ISIS and a strengthening of the reconstruction process. A "just representation" of Christians in institutions and the goal of "full citizenship". A conference of young Chaldeans in 2020 and one dedicated to the laity in 2022.
As of 4 pm, all departing flights have been cancelled. Only flights already headed to the airport will be allowed to land. After yesterday's police violence, student associations have called for more sit-ins and strikes. For mainland, there are "signs of terrorism".
The most affected state is Kerala, with 72 victims and 260,000 displaced in over 1,600 camps. The Church at the forefront of assistance operations. The opposition calls for intervention by the central government.