Kita manusia Kristen yang tidak ingin ambil resiko perlawanan terhadap sistem yg menindas adalah candu utopis tentang sorga ilusi.
Mengapa demikian, sebab jika seseorang dikatakan kristen berarti di dalam dirinya ada benih-benih pemberontakan terhadap sistem yang menindas. Benih-benih itu bukan sekedar emosi-emosi yang diluapkan dalam bentuk doa-doa kepada otoritas ilahi, tetapi harus lebih berdampak pada aksi solidaritas bersama Kristiani untuk menentang rezim Kolonialosme, Kapitalisme dan Militerisme.
Jika agama Kristen dianggap sebagai wadah untuk menuntun orang kepada Kehidupan Ilahi, berarti karakteristik Kristus sebagai oknum yang di Tuhan-Kan itu bertransformasi di dalam diri umatnya. Sehingga hal itu berdampak pada perjuangan nyata untuk menciptakan sorga di bumi (Kehidupan tanpa penindasan & penghisapan).
Doktrin yang salah tentang kehidupan menciptakan iman yang lembek yang tidak mampu menghadapi tantangan zaman.
Yesus sendiri menunjukan jalan-jalan ekstrim bagi pengikut-Nya. Tidak ada doktrin kesejahteraan dalam ajaran Yesus Kristus. Sebab Ia sendiri lahir sebagai manusia di tengah konflik bangsa (Perbudakan Israel).
Ia tak berjanji juga tentang kerajaan Israel pada masa itu, tetapi ia lebih mendidik muridnya untuk melakukan apa yang Ia kerjakan.
Kita hari ini berbeda, kita malah menjadi pecandu agama yang tidak realistis terhadap situasi nyata bangsa kita. Kita bisa menjadi sekutu pemerinta, bisa jadi sekutu militer dan kapitalis.
Kita mungkin sedang bingung atau kita sedang tidur dalam hegemoni pembangunan, seakan kita sudah Merdeka.
Terlepas dari polemik, bapak Lukas Enumbi pergi ke PNG melalui jalur resmi atau tidak, kita melihat dari sisi kemanusiaan dan kesehatan bapak Lukas Enumbi, Gubernur Papua. Kesehatan beliau adalah prioritas. Beliau harus dan segera sembuh, pulih dan kuat untuk melayani rakyat Papua dalam keadaan sehat dan kuat.
Mari, kita semua menghadap hadirat kuasa TUHAN dalam doa. Tuhan Yesus mampu dan sanggup melenyapkan segala sakit penyakit yang diderita bapak Lukas Enumbi. Tuhan Yesus mampu dan sanggup sembuhkan, pulihkan dan sembuhkan bapak Lukas Enumbi, gubernur Papua. Tuhan Yesus mengetahui dengan sempurna pergumulan hidup, karya dan pelayanan serta hati bapak Lukas Enumbi. Bapak Lukas Enumbi adalah anugerah dan pemberian Tuhan untuk seluruh rakyat Papua untuk memimpin dan membangun serta sejahterakan rakyat Papua.
Saudara-saudara sebagai orang-orang beriman, orang-orang kudus, orang-orang benar dan imamat rajani, TUHAN Yesus pasti dengar, kabulkan dan menjawab doa-doa kita. Mari, kita berhadap kepada TUHAN Yesus Kristus untuk kesembuhan bapak Lukas Enumbi gubernur Papua.
TUHAN Yesus Kristus memberitahukan kepada bapak Lukas Enumbi dan kita semua:
“Mintalah, maka akan diberikan. Carilah, maka kamu akan mendapat. Ketoklah, maka pintu dibukakan bagimu” (Matius 7:7).
Mari, kita minta kepada TUHAN Yesus Kristus untuk kesembuhan bapak Lukas Enembe. Mari, kita cari wajah TUHAN untuk kesembuhan bapak Lukas Enumbi. Mari, kita ketuk hati TUHAN Yesus Kristus untuk kesembuhan bapak Lukas Enumbi.
Kuasa Yesus Kristus yang pernah membuat air menjadi anggur itu tetap berkuasa. Kuasa Tuhan Yesus Kristus yang menyembuhkan wanita 12 tahun pendarahan itu masih tetap berkuasa. Kuasa Yesus yang mencelikkan orang buta dan melihat itu masih berkuasa. Kuasa TUHAN Yesus Kristus yang menyembuhkan orang lumpuh berjalan itu masih hidup dan berkuasa. Kuasa Yesus Kristus yang meredakan badai angin di danau itu tetap kekal. Kuasa Tuhan Yesus Kristus yang mengusir setan-setan di dalam hidup orang di Gerasa itu tetap berkuasa kekal. Kuasa Yesus Kristus yang membangkitkan Lazarus dari kematian itu tetap berkuasa. Karena, Tuhan Yesus Kristus sendiri adalah KEBANGKITAN DAN HIDUP.
Dengan Kuasa TUHAN Yesus Kristus yang kekal abadi dan tidak pernah berobah itu pula bapak Lukas Enumbi disembuhkan, dipulihkan dan dikuatkan. Supaya semua orang HARUS percaya dan mengaku bahwa TUHAN Yesus Kristus yang bapak Lukas Enumbi miliki, percaya dan layani seumurnya hidupnya selama ini dalam posisi itu, sanggup, mampu sembuhkan, pulihkan dan kuatkan dari gangguan kesehatan bapak Lukas Enumbi, gubernur Papua.
Tuhan Yesus Kristus mengatakan kepada bapak Lukas Enumbi dan kita semua:
“Jakalau kamu tinggal di dalam Aku dan Firman-Ku tinggal di dalam kamu, mintalah apa saja yang kamu kehendaki, dan kamu akan menerimanya.” (Yohanes 15:7).
Khusus kepada bapak Lukas Enumbi dan Ibu Yulce Wenda, kuasa Firman TUHAN ini datang kepada bapak dan ibu, bahwa bapak dan ibu sepanjang hidup ada dalam Tuhan Yesus Kristus dan Firman-Nya ada di dalam hidup bapak dan ibu. Mintalah, kepada TUHAN Yesus Kristus, Ia pasti mendengar permintaan dalam doamu yang tulus dari hatimu. TUHAN mahatahu dapat menyelidiki dan mengerti dengan sempurna kejujuran, ketulusan dan keluhuran hati bapak dan ibu. Jangan takut, jangan ragu, jangan mimbang, percayalah melalui kesakitan bapak Lukas Enumbi nama Yesus Kristus ditinggikan dan dimuliakan. Dan semua orang harus tahu dan percaya bahwa TUHAN Yesus Kristus yang diimani dan dipercayai bapak Lukas Enumbi dan ibu Yulce Wenda itu Allah yang hidup dan berkuasa serta Allah yang sanggup melenyapkan segala bentuk kejahatan.
Di dalam nama Tuhan Yesus Kristus yang pernah lahir melalui rahim Bunda Maria di Betlehem, yang pernah melakukan berbagai tanda dan mujizat dan pernah disalib di bukit Golgota dan yang dibangkitkan dengan kuasa Roh dari kubur itu, dan melalui kuasa Injil, kesakitan yang diderita bapak Lukas Enumbi lenyap dan sembuh.
Bapak Lukas Enumbi, Gubernur Papua dan ibu Yulce Wenda, yakin dan percayalah, semua orang-orang kudus dan semua orang berhati suci dan berbudi luhur mengasihi, menemani bapak Lukas Enumbi dan ibu Yulce Wenda dalam doa tulus dan doa kudus mereka. Yakinlah, bapak Lukas Enumbi ada dihati semua orang yang mencintamu dan mengasihimu. Segera sembuh. Cepat sehat. Pasti sembuh, pulih supaya senyum, sapa dan tertawa bersama rakyat Papua.
Terima kasih kepada semua orang yang mendoakan kesembuhan dan pemulihan bapak Lukas Enumbi, gubernur Papua. Tuhan Yesus memberkati setiap orang yang sedang tunduk kepala dan berdoa untuk kesembuhan bapak Lukas Enumbi/Enembe.
Nabi Yunus diutus Allah untuk menyampaikan perintah Allak kpd kota Niniwe. Ada tertulis dlm kitab Yunus 3:4-5 (TB): Mulailah Yunus masuk ke dalam kota itu sehari perjalanan jauhnya, lalu berseru: "Empat puluh hari lagi, maka Niniwe akan ditunggangbalikkan."
Orang Niniwe percaya kepada Allah, lalu mereka mengumumkan puasa dan mereka, baik orang dewasa maupun anak-anak, mengenakan kain kabung." Berita itu sampai kepada Raja kota itu dan memerintahkan kpd rakyatnya untuk tidak makan-tidak minum, bahkan ternak pun tak diberi makan.
Raja mengenakan kain kabung menaruh abu di atas kepalanya dan berpuasa. Tuhan melihat kesungguhan hati Raja serta rakyatnya dlm kota itu sehingga Allah menyesal apa yg dirancangkan-Nya dan tidak melakukannya.
Perjuangan bangsa Papua sudah hampir sampai di puncak. Jeritan tangisan bangsa Papua sudah di dengar Tuhan. Penentu terakhir kemerdekaan bangsa Papua berada di tangan Tuhan. Karna itu, pd tgl 21 Maret 2021 Tuhan melalui abdi-Nya memerintahkan kpd bangsa Papua untuk membayar harga Kemerdekaan Jasmani dan Rohani melalui DOA PUASA 40 hari 40 malam. Aksi doa puasa 40 hari 40 malam adalah AKSI KUNCI, AKSI PENENTUAN terakhir nasib bangsa Papua.
Anda jangan menganggap remeh dengan perintah Tuhan ini untuk DOA PUASA serentak tanah Papua dan dirantauan yg akan diumumkan untuk digelar.
BAGI YANG MENGANGGAP REMEH DOA PUASA INI, IA AKAN DIREMEHKAN JUGA OLEH TUHAN PADA WAKTU-NYA.
Tuhan berpesan:
"barangsiapa berdoa puasa 40 hari 40 malam dengan sungguh-sungguh, dosa besar apapun akan diampuni; sebaliknya barangsiapa tidak sungguh-sungguh dlm doa puasa, maka dosanya tetap ada."
Bagi mereka yg tak bertobat, tidak akan diberikan kesempatan oleh Tuhan untuk masuk ke Tanah Suci Papua. Pesan ini disampaikan kpd kami dan kpd para hamba Tuhan tertentu di Tanah Papua.
Sesuai pesan Tuhan: waktu membuka doa puasa (pd jam 12 siang dan 12 malam, artinya pd jam 12 bisa makan minum secukupnya). Sedangkan jam jam berdoa khusus adalah jam 12 siang & malam, jam 9 pagi & sore, jam 6 pagi & sore, jam 3 sore & subuh.
Waktu untuk Doa Puasa 40 hari 40 malam serentak, akan dikeluarkan dalam waktu dekat ini. Orang Papua baik di dalam negeri maupun di luar negeri bersiap sedia masuk dalam PERKABUNGAN NASIONAL PAPUA selama 40 hari 40 malam.
03/17/2021 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – On March 15, 12 international non-government organizations (NGOs) have conveyed the conditions that have been and are happening in West Papua at the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The groups submitted a joint statement expressing their ongoing concerns about the human rights situation in West Papua, Indonesia. Although the Indonesian government has established a ‘‘Special Team” to deal with 13 cases of alleged gross human rights violations, including the three cases in West Papua, since there is no time frame for the task force, its effectiveness remains to be seen.
The escalating violence and shrinking space for civil society in West Papua as highlighted by the OHCHR are also concerning to the groups. New cases of human rights violations continue to be documented, while hundreds of Papuans have been displaced due to the armed conflict between the Indonesian security forces and members of the West Papua National Liberation Army.
Church workers, including a pastor, were targeted and killed in the last few months. Other Church workers, health personnel, and human rights defenders working with the IDPs fear for their safety.
As a member of the Council, Indonesia should guarantee respect and protection of human rights, and a prompt and effective investigation, prosecution, and remedy the cases of gross human rights violations in West Papua, in conformity with its obligations under international human rights law. The groups also urge the Council to continue to give due attention to the general human rights situation in West Papua.
The 12 groups are Franciscans International, Geneva for Human Rights, VIVAT International, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches, CIVICUS, and Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development with the support of the International Coalition for Papua, West Papua Netzwerk, TAPOL, the Commission for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation of the Franciscans in Papua, and the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (KontraS).
Dalam pernyataan ini juga disampaikan kepada seluruh pasukan Operasi Khusus WPRA di manapun Anda berada, tanpa terkecuali untuk turut berpuasa dan berdoa, menghadap tahta kerajaan Allah dengan merendahkan diri, berpuasa, bertobat, mengaku dosa-dosa nenek-moyang, dosa-dosa orang tua, dosa-dosa pribadi, dosa-dosa bangsa dan tanah air, dosa-dosa sengaja maupun tidak sengaja, mengaku kepada Allah.
Blog ini bernama: Fast, Pray, Praise, artinya berpuasa, dan berdoa dan memuji Tuhan, sebagai sebuah paket penyembahan kepada Tuhan, Allah Tritunggal.
Pope Francis has appointed a new Apostolic Nuncio in Papua New Guinea, and named new Bishops for Dioceses in Uganda and Nigeria.
By Vatican News staff reporter
The Holy See on Wednesday announced that Pope Francis has named Monsignor Fermín EmilioSosaRodríguez as the new Apostolic Nuncio in Papua New Guinea.
The Holy Father also provided for two African dioceses on Wednesday, naming Father Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, M.C.C.J., as Bishop of Nebbi, Uganda; and Father David Ajang as Bishop of Lafia, Nigeria.
Appointment of Apostolic Nuncio in Papua New Guinea
The Holy Father has appointed as apostolic nuncio in Papua New Guinea the Reverend Msgr. Fermín EmilioSosaRodríguez, nunciature counsellor, elevating him at the same time to the titular see of Viruno, with the dignity of archbishop.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Fermín EmilioSosaRodríguez was born in Izamal, Mexico, on 12 April 1968.
He was ordained a priest on 12 July 1998, and incardinated in the archdiocese of Yucatán, Mexico.
He graduated in canon law.
He entered the Holy See Diplomatic Service on 1 January 2003, and served in the pontifical representations in Papua New Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, the United States of America, Canada, and Serbia.
He knows Spanish, English, Italian and French.
Appointment of Bishop of Nebbi, Uganda
The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Nebbi, Uganda, the Reverend Fr. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, M.C.C.J., until now Pontifical Commissioner of the Congregation Apostles of Jesus.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Raphael P’Mony Wokorach, M.C.C.J., was born on 21 January 1961 in Ojigo, in the diocese of Arua. After his studies at the Saint Charles Lwanga College of Koboko he attended the minor seminary of Arua for five years (1975-1979), and subsequently entered the Institute of Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, giving his religious vows on 12 October 1992. He carried out his studies in philosophy at the Uganda Martyrs National Major Seminary Alokolum (1988-1989), and in theology at Tangaza University College of Nairobi (1989-1993). He holds a master’s degree in philosophy.
He was ordained a priest on 25 September1993, and has held the following offices: parish ministry in Uganda (1993-1994); missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, bursar of the Comboni Community in Kisangani and formator of the postulate of the Institute (1994-2001); missionary in Togo and formator of Comboni postulants (2001-2003); missionary in Chicago, in the United States, and formator in the Comboni International Theologate (2003-2007); missionary in Nairobi, Kenya, formator and lecturer at Tangaza University College (2007-2015); member of the Provincial Council of Kenya and vice provincial (2011-2013); apostolic visitor of the Apostles of Jesus Congregation (2015-2018) and, since 2018, Pontifical Commissioner of the same Congregation, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Appointment of Bishop of Lafia, Nigeria
The Holy Father has appointed as bishop of the diocese of Lafia, Nigeria, the Reverend David Ajang, until now parish priest of the Immaculate Conception parish and dean of Zaramaganda.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. David Ajang was born on 31 March 1970 in Zaria, in the diocese of the same name. After his primary and middle school education, he attended the Saint John Vianney Minor Seminary in Barkin Ladi (1982-1987). As a seminarian of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos, he carried out his studies in philosophy at the Saint Thomas AquinasMajor Seminaryin Makurdi (1987-1990), and in theology at Saint Augustine’sMajor Seminary in Jos (1990-1994).
He was ordained a priest on 3 December 1994 and incardinated in the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos. He was subsequently awarded a licentiate in philosophy from the Pontifical Urban University of Rome (2002-2004) and a doctorate from the University of Jos.
After priestly ordination he held the following offices: parish vicar of Saint James in Gombe (1994-1995); parish priest of Saint Molumba in Nasarawa Eggon, vocational director of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos; parish vicar of Saint Theresa in Jos (1998-1999); parish priest of the Immaculate Conception parish in Zaramaganda and youth chaplain of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos (1999-2001); administrator of the Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral (2001-2002), and formator at Saint Augustine’s Major Seminary in Jos (2004-2012); parish priest of the Uganda Martyrs parish and dean in Kuru. Since 2012 he has served as member of the college of consultors of the metropolitan archdiocese of Jos; since 2015, chaplain of the governor of the State of Plateau, and since 2018, parish priest of the Immaculate Conception parish and dean of Zaramaganda.
ope Francis at The Liturgy of the Lord's Passion at St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2015. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano
Vatican City, May 13, 2018 / 06:20 am MT ().- After multiple bombings at churches in Indonesia left 11 dead dozens more injured, Pope Francis prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and asked God to bring an end to hatred and violence.
“I am particularly close to the dear people of Indonesia, in a special way to the Christian communities of the city of Surabaya who have been strongly hit by the serious attack against places of worship,” the pope said May 13.
He offered his prayer for the victims and their relatives, and asked pilgrims to pray with him for “the God of peace to stop these violent acts, and that in the heart of all may be found space not for hatred or violence, but for reconciliation and fraternity.”
The pope's appeal came after 11 people were killed and at least 40 injured in three separate May 13 suicide bombings in Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city, which took place at churches as worshipers were gathered for Sunday services.
According to BBC News, the first explosion took place between services at Santa Maria Catholic Church around 7:30a.m. local time and involved a motorbike. The second blast took place at a Pentecostal church, and at a third location, witnesses say the attack was carried out by one or more veiled women who came into a church with children.
Sunday's attacks were the deadliest the country has seen since 2005, when suicide bombings in Bali killed 20 people.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks, which took place within minutes of each other, however, according to ABC News, police have determined that the attacks were each carried out by members of the same family who had been radicalized by ISIS in Syria before moving to Indonesia.
More than 90 percent of Indonesians are Muslim, however, there are a large number of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists in the country.
In his reflection on the day's readings, which spoke of Jesus' ascension into heaven, Pope Francis noted how on one hand the text directs the reader to heaven, while on the other it reminds Catholics of the Church's mission on earth.
Jesus' ascension, then, serves as a reminder to both look to heaven, and also to be attentive to the task the Risen Lord has entrusted to his disciples.
This mission, Francis said, is “a boundless mission – that is, literally without limits – which overcomes human strength.”
“It really seems too daring that Jesus entrusts the task to a small group of simple men without great intellectual abilities!” he said, noting that despite this fact and despite the powers of the world, they were able to bring Jesus' message to “every corner of the world.”
However, this task “can only be realized with the strength that God himself grants to the apostles,” the pope said, adding that light of this, Jesus in the Gospel assures them that their mission will be sustained by the Holy Spirit, telling them that they will receive the “strength of the Holy Spirit” and will bear witness to him throughout the world.
This mission was passed on and continues to this day, Francis said, explaining that each person, by virtue of their baptism, has the ability to announce the Gospel.
“The Ascension of the Lord into heaven, while inaugurating a new form of the presence of Jesus in the midst of us, asks us to have open eyes and open hearts to encounter him, to serve him and to bear witness to others.
And to do this means being men and women of the ascension, who look for Christ in the signs of modern times and who bring his message of salvation to everyone, above all the poor, Francis said.
Just as the Risen Christ sent his apostles out with the strength of the Holy Spirit, “today he is also sending us, with the same strength, to propose concrete and visible signs of hope,” he said.
After his address, Pope Francis greeted pilgrims present from different countries and associations. He also noted how Sunday marked the World Day of Social Communications, and prayed that journalists and those who work in media would “seek the truth of the news, contributing to a more peaceful and just society.”
CNA Staff, Mar 28, 2021 / 02:05 am MT (CNA).- A suspected suicide bomb attack targeted Catholics leaving a cathedral after Palm Sunday Mass on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.
The explosion occurred March 28 outside Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral in Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi province, as church-goers were exiting the cathedral at the start of Holy Week.
Initial reports said that at least 10 worshipers were injured by the blast at the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Makassar.
Fr. Wilhelmus Tulak, who celebrated the Mass, said that the explosion occurred at around 10:30 a.m. local time.
The priest explained that a suspected bomber, who arrived on a motorbike, tried to enter the cathedral but was turned away by security guards. Other reports suggested that there were two perpetrators.
The Associated Press reported that it had obtained a cellular video showing body parts near a burning motorbike at the cathedral gates.
he BBC said that the bombing happened at the cathedral’s side entrance.
It quoted Makassar Mayor Danny Pomanto as saying that there would have been many more casualties if the attacker had struck at the main entrance.
Makassar is the fifth-largest urban center in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
A family of suicide bombers attacked three churches, including the Church of St. Mary Immaculate, in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, in May 2018.
A widespread Pacific civil society call for a global ban on deep sea mining activity has been launched.
The Pacific Regional NGO Alliance of church and civil society groups kickstarted their campaign to stop deep sea mining yesterday in Fiji.
The general secretary of the Pacific Council of Churches, James Bhagwan. Photo: RNZ / Jamie Tahana
Their Blue Line Statement said that as custodians of the world's biggest ocean, Pacific people had a moral obligation to protect it against exploitation and destruction.
However, a number of Pacific governments including the Cook Islands and Nauru have backed exploration activities by companies spearheading the embryonic deepsea mining sector.
Opening the Blue Line launch, the Secretary General of the Pacific Conference of Churches, Reverend James Bhagwan said governments and companies claiming there would be minimal damage to the ocean from deep sea mining ran the risk of being on the wrong side of history.
"That which is actually know about our ocean depths actually runs contrary to the push for deep sea mining," Bhagwan said.
"Scientists regularly warn against the devastating and irreversible damage to ecosystems and habitats; the resulting biodoversity loss, including of many known endemic species and others yet to be identified, that will be affected and most likely will never recover; the risk of giant sediment plumes travelling beyond the mining sites, smothering and potentially destroying all life forms on the sea floor."
The coordinator of the Pacific Network on Globalization, Maureen Penjueli, told the campaign launch that scientists have given clear warnings about damage to oceans and the link to climate change.
"Recently they warned us about the carbon storage facilities of our ocean floor itself. Recovery of biodiversity destruction would be something that would not happen in human timelines."
She said the Pacific Ocean had long been viewed by external powers as a kind of "anti-space" or void.
"A space in which great tests and experiments have taken place, first for world peace.
"In the past it was used as the proving ground for nuclear weapons. Our people drew a Blue Pacific Line and said never again."
She said the advocates of deep sea mining were now presenting the industry as neccessary for the world's fight against climate change under "false narratives of green technological revolution".
The Deep Sea Mining Campaign warns that if nodule mining is allowed to take place in the Pacific Ocean, species such as the Sperm Whale could be adversely affected. Photo: WILLYAM
Companies such as DeepGreen Metals, which is looking to mine parts of the Pacific, say the world needs polymetallic nodules on the seabed for materials to make batteries for electric vehicles that will drive the carbon-free societies of the future.
Bhagwan described this argument as spurious, saying the minerals needed could be sourced from better recycling efforts and land-based resources.
In a recent interview with RNZ Pacific, the Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown denied that his country was gambling with ocean health by opening up for deep sea mining exploration.
Economic strains caused by the pandemic have highlighted the need for Cook Islands to diversify its tourism-reliant economy.
The Cook Islands' roughly two million square kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone contains an estimated 10 billion tonnes of polymetallic nodules, rich in manganese, nickel, copper, cobalt and rare earth minerals.
Bhagwan noted that decades ago land-based mining also began with promises of economic and social benefits for Pacific people.
"And our lived experiences in the Pacific show clearly that the powerful corporations benefit the most while it is our people who bear the costs of destruction of our natural environment.
"Across resource frontiers of our region, history records this deception time and again."
Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown Photo: Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Immigration
Tuvalu's former prime minister, Enele Sopoaga who attended the online launch, said countries inviting seabed exploration were opening up a huge range of problems for ocean health.
"Soon they will be coming to Tuvalu, especially the vulnerable economies looking for the extra dollar. No. This is not on as long as I am in the parliament of Tuvalu.
"I will use all my energy to stop this mad idea about mining the seabed."
Sopoaga is also calling for an end to the shipment of nuclear waste and disposal of plastics.
Jayapura, Jubi – Majelis Pekerja Harian Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja di Indonesia (MPH PGI) mengecam keras aksi bom bunuh diri di depan Gereja Katedral Jl. Kajaoladido, Kota Makasar dan menyampaikan duka yang mendalam bagi keluarga korban ketika umat sedang menyelenggarakan ibadah Palmarum dalam rangkaian liturgi menyongsong Perayaan Paska. Peristiwa naas ini menambah daftar panjang aksi kekerasan dan teror yang terjadi di nusantara.
“Saya mengimbau seluruh umat untuk tetap tenang dan mempercayakan sepenuhnya penanganan masalah ini kepada aparat terkait. Saya menyerukan seluruh umat untuk tidak takut dan resah, tapi tetap waspada. Saya juga mengimbau agar tak ada di antara kita yang memposting gambar atau video tentang persitiwa ini yang justru dapat menimbulkan keresahan masyarakat. Saya percaya penuh, aparat kita mampu mengusut tuntas kasus ini dan dapat menciptakan suasaana aman dan nyaman bagi masyarakat Indonesia, khususnya masyarakat Makasar,” demkian pernyatan Ketua Umum PGI Pdt. Gomar Gultom.
Menurutnya sangat mengenaskan, peristiwa naas ini terjadi saat umat Kristen di Indonesia sedang merayakan Minggu Palmarum, yang merujuk pada peristiwa masuknya Yesus ke Jerusalem dengan mengendarai keledai betina. Lewat ini Yesus sedang membangun persepsi tentang diriNya sebagai Mesias, Raja Damai yang lemah lembut, rendah hati dan menghadirkan kehidupan. Dia tidak datang dengan kekuasaan, kekuatan, apalagi kekerasan untuk berperang dan menghancurkan kehidupan.
“Dalam semangat kelembutan seperti itulah saya mengajak umat Kristen menghadapi peristiwa ini, seraya berdoa bagi kedamaian masyarakat kita.”
PGI meminta aparat keamanan segera mengusur tuntas kasus ini, membongkar jaringan pelakunya, dan menindak dengan tegas para pelaku tindakan barbar yang tak berperikemanusiaan ini. Menyikapi kasus ini, PGI mengharapkan semua jemaat meningkatkan pengamanan peribadahan dalam kerja sama dengan aparat keamanan, terutama menyongsong ibadah Jumaat Agung dan Paska Kristus.
“Kepada Jemaat Katedral Makasar, segenap pelayan dan umat, terutama para korban yang terdampak peristiwa ini, PGI menyampaikan duka cita dan solidaritas sedalam-dalamnya terkait kejadian yang mengoyak nurani kita pada Minggu pagi ini. Kiranya pengharapan kita kepada Kristus yang menderita, disalibkan, mati dan bangkit tidak akan pernah goyah akibat tragedi ini. Tuhan menggendong kita dalam kasih-Nya.” (*)
Kita manusia Kristen yang tidak ingin ambil resiko perlawanan terhadap sistem yg menindas adalah candu utopis tentang sorga ilusi. Mengapa demikian, sebab jika seseorang dikatakan kristen berarti di dalam dirinya ada benih-benih pemberontakan terhadap sistem yang menindas. Benih-benih…
Diberitakan dalam situs resmi West Papua Army (WPA), bahwa Komando Pasukan Operasi husus WPRA (West Papua Revolutionary Army) telah siap berdoa dan berpuasa demi pemulihan bangsa dan tanah…
BANGSA PAPUA LAHIR BARU DALAM TUHAN MELALUI DOA PUASA MELALUI 40 HARI-40 MALAM SERENTAK (Antara Minggu 04 April 2021, Jam 12 Siang sampai degan Jumat 14 Mei 2021…
Gereja pada hakekatnya kudus, karena Gereja merupakan Tubuh Mistik Allah yang terwujud dalam diri Yesus Kristus melalui Hidup, Sengsara, Wafat, dan Bangkit-Nya. Kita tidak mungkin meminta para filsuf…
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