Page 30 - IB December 2023

West Papua West Papua

Leaders of the Pacific Conference of Churches and Pacific Theological College welcome West Papuan delegates to the PCC Assembly in
Noumea.

“WE ARE FACING GOLIATH”

WEST PAPUAN CHURCHES CALL FOR SOLIDARITY

By Nic Maclellan in Noumea, New Caledonia Reverend Dorman Wandikbo and Christy Dharmanan of the
Evangelical Christian Church (GKI-TP: Gereja Kristen Injili di
“We are facing Goliath, or even the Pharaoh,” says Rode Tanah Papua). GKI-TP is the largest Christian denomination in
Wanimbo, “but we still have to speak out strong.” West Papua, with an estimated 800,000 members, and nearly
Wanimbo is coordinator of the Women’s Department of the 600 pastors for 2100 congregations.
Evangelical Christian Church of Indonesia in Tanah Papua (GKI- They were joined by Reverend Socratez Sofyan Yoman of
TP). She is a leading campaigner for the rights of women and the West Papua Baptist Church, a leading theologian and
children, speaking out about the power of today’s Goliath, human rights advocate from Jayapura.
the Indonesian security forces operating in West Papua since Yoman said the West Papuan delegation welcomed the
the 1969 Act of Free Choice. chance to meet church leaders from across the region: “This
In November, Wanimbo travelled to New Caledonia as is the first time I’m experiencing this, but God is blessing us.
a delegate to the 12th General Assembly of the Pacific The Pacific Conference of Churches is important, because
Conference of Churches (PCC). Attending the regional PCC is a big house. Melanesia is in PCC, Polynesia is in PCC,
ecumenical assembly was a crucial opportunity to share the Micronesia is in PCC; we are together, and we are stronger
stories of ordinary West Papuans with other Pacific church together.”
members. As Chair of the Papuan Baptist Church Alliance, Yoman
“I’m coming from the grassroots, working with women has been an outspoken champion for indigenous Papuans
and children in a place where there is still ongoing conflict,” living under Indonesian occupation. He is a prolific author,
she told Islands Business. “Sometimes I lose hope, even churning out books and essays for both Papuan and Indonesian
questioning God, asking ‘Where are You in the midst of audiences: “We educate Indonesian people, we educate our
our suffering?’ But these few days, gathered together with own people. They should understand their own story on [their]
brothers and sisters from around the Pacific, I am encouraged. own land, our ancestors’ lands.”
I can share our stories, our pain.” Some of his books and essays have been banned or censored
in Indonesia, hardly surprising, when you look at the titles:
Solidarity with West Papua ‘Melanesian Ethnic Annihilation: Breaking the Silence on the
The West Papuan delegation to the PCC Assembly included History of Violence in West Papua’; ‘The Voice of the Church

30 Islands Business, December 2023