In the face of escalating violence across Papua, local religious and community leaders have launched a unified moral appeal: the Free Papua Movement (OPM), also known locally as Armed Criminal Group (KKB), must lay down arms and engage in peaceful dialogue. Their voices, echoing from the region’s churches and traditional communities, convey both outrage over recent bloodshed and a steadfast belief in the healing power of faith and unity.
Churches Under Fire – A Moral Reckoning
The shooting of civilians working on a church building in Jayawijaya Regency sparked widespread horror. On June 5, 2025, two worshippers were killed by gunmen believed to be linked to OPM during construction of the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) Imanuel Air Garam Church in Distrik Asotipo. Survivors described how they “saw brutality…members using machine guns,” aimed at innocent parishioners
In response, religious leaders called this an intolerable act of terror. “Churches must be sanctuaries, not battlefields,” stated a local pastor. The attack spurred condemnations and urgent calls for unity among Papua’s Christian and interfaith communities.
A Religious Plea: “Violence Contradicts God’s Word”
Pastor Catto Mauri, a leader within the International Full Gospel Fellowship (IFGF) Sky Kotaraja and member of the Indonesian Pastors Association, emphasized that armed struggle only deepens suffering. In Jayapura on June 5, he spoke out forcefully:
“I urge everyone to abandon armed violence…you may hold different ideologies, but weapons are not the way to express them,” he said, warning that ideology must never justify bloodshed.
He further urged peaceful negotiation instead of violence—especially for Papuan Christians whose places of worship have become targets during the ongoing conflict.
Backing from Broader Religious Voices
Pastor Dr. Yones Wenda, a prominent figure in Jayapura, offered spiritual and legal condemnation of the violence. He appealed directly to OPM and KKB, citing Exodus 20:13—“Thou shalt not kill”—and urged them to cease “all criminal acts targeting civilians, educators, and healthcare workers,” while emphasizing the need for perpetrators to face justice.
Meanwhile, Pastor Alexander Mauri, Secretary-General of Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB) Jayawijaya, urged local populations to resist provocation. He called on communities, especially in Wamena, to maintain calm and unity and to protect public infrastructure, warning that attacks on schools or markets would cripple local livelihoods.
Community Leaders Endorse Strong Action
The voices of religious leaders are paralleled by secular community elders. Martinus Kasuay, a respected Papuan community figure, expressed unwavering support for decisive action by the authorities against OPM/KKB. He referenced assaults—including the recent killing of 11 gold prospectors in Yahukimo—as justification for resolute enforcement.
“We support the security forces: TNI and Polri must act firmly to deter inhuman acts and restore peace,” he said.
The message is clear: the region demands accountability, survival, and a future free from terror.
Pastoral and Social Tension: Balancing Faith with Security
Religious leaders support legal accountability but temper it with moral guidance. Pastor Mauri reminded Papuans that “Papua remains part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” urging justice that is wise and equitable.
Dr. Yendes Wenda mirrored this stance by urging society to uphold humanity and rights for all. “Papua can only find peace if everyone plays their part, including religious, civic, and cultural leaders,” he stated
The Human Toll: When Faith and Civilians Collide
The impact of the violence is deeply felt among civilians. Beyond church shootings, OPM/KKB has recently claimed victims among teachers, healthcare workers, and market vendors—spreading trauma in places already strained by COVID-19 and underdevelopment.
Markedly in Yahukimo and Wamena, the recurring violence has disrupted daily life, education, and safety—heightening the urgency in calls for peace from both spiritual and societal voices.
Building Peace: Faith Communities Lead the Way
In direct response, church networks and FKUB have initiated peace dialogues, joint prayer events, and interfaith vigils in Jayawijaya, Wamena, and Jayapura. The aim: drive reconciliation between traditional villages, church groups, and government institutions. These attempts reflect a theology rooted in reconciliation—urging that dialogue and empathy must prevail over division.
Conclusion
Papua’s religious and community leaders are increasingly united by a moral consensus: violence goes against divine teachings, human rights, and Indonesia’s legal framework. They affirm that killing destroys not only bodies but the soul of Papua itself.
Their collective plea to the OPM is unequivocal: cease violence now, recognize the sanctity of every human life, and choose dialogue over destruction. In doing so, they believe a Papua of true peace—where faith, hope, and justice coexist—can at last emerge.
