4/24/2025 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) — The joyful atmosphere of the Easter celebration at the Ecumenical Christian Communion (POUK) Thessalonian congregation in Teluknaga, Tangerang regency, Banten province, Java, Indonesia, turned sorrowful when local government officials sealed the prayer house building on Saturday, April 19.
The sealing occurred only one day after the congregation held a Good Friday procession to mark one of the three holy days of Easter at their Prayer House.
Pastor Michael Siahaan revealed that the foundation had previously written to the Teluknaga sub-district leader to borrow the sub-district hall for the Good Friday commemoration.
The letter was sent on April 15. However, Siahaan said there was no reply. The church decided to worship at the prayer house, armed with a letter of recommendation from the National Human Rights Commission for freedom of worship. However, the local government sealed their prayer house building, forcing the Easter Sunday celebration to be shortened.
Since the persecution POUK Thessalonian experienced on March 30, 2024, the day before Easter, the foundation has continued to fight to be able to worship in its own place, the POUK Thessalonian Foundation building.
A Joint Decree (SKB) of Two Ministers regulates the rules for establishing a church in Indonesia. It requires a minimum of 90 congregants who have ID cards and live near the church.
Additionally, support is needed from at least 60 residents who have been approved by the village leader, a written recommendation from the Interfaith Harmony Forum (FKUB), and a written recommendation from the local religious department office.
However, to establish a house of prayer, no special permit is needed; only the Building Approval (PBG) document is needed.
“We went through all the processes,” said Pardede, the administrator of the POUK Thessalonian Foundation.
The foundation previously sought a Building Approval (PBG) permit, which is necessary to build their house of prayer. However, Pardede said, the Tangerang Regency Government has not granted this permit.
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