Electronic Bulletin of the
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission of Brisbane
Tuesday 27 October 2020
40 Days for West Papua
Below is a message from the Secretary-General of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Rev James Bhagwan, calling for 40 days of prayer and fasting for the people of West Papua. Yesterday, a Catholic catechist, Rupinus Tigau, was shot dead by Indonesian soldiers in his village in Intan Jaya in the HighlandsAnother villager was shot. Most villagers have fled in fear to the forests. Others civilians, including religious leaders, have been killed in sweeping operations by the increasing numbers of soldiers and police being sent to West Papua by the Indonesian Government. Please join with us in this special time of solidarity with our sisters and brothers in West Papua.
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ across our Pacific Household of God,
I am sure you are all aware of the ongoing and escalating Human Rights abuses in West Papua and the recent shootings (one fatal) of a pastor and catechist.
Attached is, for those who have not received it, the most recent open letter by the West Papuan Council of Churches, which calls on Indonesia to enter dialogue towards a peaceful resolution of the situation and an end to militarisation (See www.humanrightspapua.org/).
In a recent discussion, the World Council of Churches President for Oceania, Dr Mele'ana Puloka, made a call for a time of fasting (choosing which meal to forego) for 40 days and prayer as we humble ourselves before our God, and intercede for West Papua.
With PCC Freedom Sunday (as per 2013 General Assembly Resolution) being set at December 6th, 2020, PCC is inviting our leaders and congregations from member churches to enter into a time of prayer and fasting for West Papua, Kanaky and Maohi Nui as well as the challenges facing our region. The period is from 28th October to 6th December.
We are calling for members to skip at least 1 meal a day to “hunger for justice and peace” during these 40 days.
In particular we are humbly asking if the Wednesdays of 28th October, the 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th of November and the 2nd of December could be set aside as fasts from sunrise to sunset as part of this time of prayer and reflection.
Please join us as we “hunger for justice and peace” and pray for our Pacific.
