WEST JAVA, Indonesia — Public order officials demolished a church building June 26 in Cimahi regency of Bandung district, West Java, Indonesia, to make way for a new shopping mall and bus terminal after church leaders failed to convince authorities that they owned the land on which it was built. Since the Indonesian Anglican Church of Cirebeum village was established in 1992 — with a letter of approval from 20 families in the immediate neighborhood — courts have dealt with a succession of people claiming to be the rightful owners of the property. Even as the church was demolished, a civil tribunal in Bandung district was considering a verdict on rightful ownership following a hearing June 24.
As Pastor Raman Saragih tried to stop officials from tearing down the church building, one of the men hit him in the face and chest. Several others joined in until another church member intervened. Saragih and the church members are pursuing legal action against the Cimahi government.
At the same time, the Islamic Defenders Front, a subgroup of the Anti-Apostasy Movement Alliance, has continued to forcibly close churches in Bandung district, citing the lack of necessary worship permits.
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