SURABAYA, Indonesia — Local officials in Indonesia halted a wedding and banned future worship services at a church on claims of opposition from residents and no permit for the building.
The wedding at Pentecostal Church in Indonesia was stopped June 30 in Mergosari in Sidoarjo Regency of Java, an island in Indonesia, reports Morning Star News.
Quoting media outlet radarsidoarjo.jawapos.com, Morning Star states that a village leader and five state officials told Yoab Setiawan, pastor of the church, that area residents had complained about the church. The pastor also was told that the church’s activities must have permission of the neighborhood to be held.
At a meeting in July, church officials were told to get a permit for the building and to worship at home until then, according to an article posted at the Indonesian news site celah.id.
The church had received a government registration certificate Dec. 7, 2023, reported Morning Star, quoting the group International Christian Concern.
The majority of Indonesia’s population is Muslim.
Indonesia is No. 42 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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