ASIA/INDONESIA - Prayer and solidarity for the Christian victims of the Surabaya attacks

Friday, 18 May 2018 local churches ecumenicalism religious minorities terrorism christianity islam political islam

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Surabaya (Agenzia Fides) - The Christian community of Surabaya is gathered around the families of the victims of the attacks on Sunday 13 May. As Fides learns, yesterday, May 17, the funeral rites of some of the victims killed in the suicide attacks against three Christian churches were held.
Vincentius Evan, 12, died instantly when a bomb exploded in front of the Catholic church of the Immaculate, and his eight-year-old brother Nathaniel died shortly afterwards in hospital. The mother of the two, Angelina Wenny, seriously injured in the attack, was allowed to leave the hospital to attend the funeral mass of her children, before returning to the nursing home.
One of the victims has yet to be formally recognized: Aloysius Bayu Wardhana, a young Catholic who works in the security services and is the father of a three-month-old child. The young man tried to prevent the suicide bombers from reaching the church of the Immaculate, crowded with believers, and exploded with the suicide bombers. His family is waiting for the results of the DNA test before his remains are released for burial. His wife and mother are in a state of profound sadness, and other family members think about the medical-bureaucratic procedures.
Among the victims of the attack on the Pentecostal Church there is a teenager, Daniel, who died with security officer Giricatur: the two tried to block the minivan driven by the attacker and died when the bomb exploded. In total, 36 people were killed in the attacks in Surabaya and Sumatra, between 13 and 16 May, including 13 kamikazes and their children.
Bishops and Christian leaders of all the confessions in these days are present in Surabaya to bring solidarity, consolation and encouragement, praying with the local Christian communities. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 18/5/2018)