Archbishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi of Merauke in Papua, Indonesia, condemned the attack on a man with disability by two Air Force personnel on July 26.
“Every human being … whether healthy or sick, is a human being, an image of God,” said the archbishop in a statement released on July 28.
“They cannot be treated harshly. They are not animals,” he said, referring to the incident wherein two Air Force personnel subdued a drunken man with disability.
Witnesses said the man was pinned on the ground while the soldiers stepped on his head.
Air Force spokesman Marsma Indan Gilang Buldansyah said the incident was a “misunderstanding,” but various groups condemned what they described as an act of violence.
Archbishop Medagi urged authorities to investigate the incident and arrest those responsible.
The prelate also noted how the incident only fueled the sentiments of the Papuan people against the military.
“The military officers should apologize and promise to change the way they approach Papuans," said the Church leader.
“The enforcement of the law is a must, but [it] should be administered with love, tenderness, compassion, and not with revenge and violence,” said Archbishop Mandagi.
Meanwhile, Father Yohanes Budiyanto Uttun, a priest from the Diocese of Jayapura Diocese, dubbed the action of the soldier “very unfortunate.”
“There are many more humane ways to resolve the situation,” he told Radio Veritas Asia in an interview. He said the actions of the soldiers “were intolerable.”
"This incident adds to the wounds in the hearts of everyone who loves and gives themselves to the life and land of Papua,”saud Father Uttun.
The Air Force personnel have already expressed regret for their actions and issued an apology. They are currently in detention.
The Archdiocese of Merauke is located in the province of Papua in Indonesia. It covers an area of 90 thousand square kilometers, with a total population of 265,000. - Emiliana Saptaningsih / Radio Veritas Asia
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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