The Church’s Mission in the Context of Change and Pluralism
in
Indonesia and East Timor
National Consultation on
Mission 2012
WCRC, CCA, PGI
Jakarta, 6-9 May 2012
I. Preface
The era
of reformation in Indonesia (since 1998), although marked by a welcome
transition toward democracy, has nonetheless failed to resolve the problems of
poverty, corruption, injustice, environmental destruction, and violations of
human rights. A similar situation is
faced by East Timor since it gained its independence from Indonesia after a
referendum in 1999.
In our present condition,
the churches of Indonesia and East Timor struggle with the following realities:
a. A
large number of citizens living below the poverty line, facing the threat of malnutrition,
unemployment, and decline in human resources
b. A
culture of corruption that is increasingly entrenched, especially among state
actors
c. Destruction of the environment: deforestation, replacement
of native forest by plantations, mining and its poisonous waste
d. Destruction of the marine ecosystem due to
overfishing and pollution
e. New industrial areas displacing people from their
traditional cultures, while at the same time attracting prostitution and a
consequent increase in the number of people with HIV/AIDS
f. A rise
in the incidence of domestic violence, in which women and children are the
chief victims
g. Weak efforts at prevention and enforcement
against the distribution of dangerous drugs
