Pastor Assassinated While Preaching In Central Sulawesi
Rev. Susianty Tinulele of the Presbyterian Christian Church of Central Sulawesi (GKST) in Palu was shot dead while speaking from the pulpit during the 6.00 p.m. service on Sunday 18th July.
Four masked men, who arrived by motorbike, opened fire with machine guns on the preacher and worship team. Rev. Susianty was shot in the head and died instantly. Four teenage worshippers were hospitalised with serious injuries and one (a 17-year old girl) has since died.
Rev. Susianty is the latest victim of what appears to be a campaign to assassinate Christian leaders in Central Sulawesi which began in November 2003. She had taken food to GKST pastor Rinaldy Damanik in prison two days before her death, and her support for him may be one reason why she was targeted.
Central Sulawesi's police chief, Brig. Gen. Taufik Ridha, believes the campaign to kill prominent Christian figures may be an attempt to disrupt this year's elections in Indonesia. When police arrested suspected Jemaah Islamiah militants last year they found detailed descriptions of church services and lists of Christian officials.
Violence is also directed against Sulawesi Christians who are not church leaders. The night before Rev. Susianty's death, Mrs Helmy Tombiling (35) died from nine stab wounds to her chest and stomach, which were inflicted by attackers outside her home in Poso.
Posted by Clifton at July 19, 2004 09:48 AM | TrackBack