JAKARTA, Indonesia — A week before Easter, local officials deemed the building of a Christian church in Indonesia “illegal” and sealed it.
According to Morning Star News, a group of Muslims had interrupted a service at the church March 19 and demanded that the church be closed.
On April 1, officials representing councils, the government, police and the military sealed Simalungun Protestant Christian Church in Purwakarta in West Java province.
Anne Ratna Mistika, who is the regent of Purwakarta, said the church building did not have approval and a certificate of proper function and was therefore illegal.
Quoting rights advocates, Morning Star said the process for getting approval to build a place of worship in Indonesia is onerous, making it nearly impossible for new congregations to receive permission.
Kompas.com reports that Mistika said 19 churches are willing to let Simalungun Christian Protestant Church use their buildings.
Indonesia is No. 33 on Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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