Bantul Peace Mission Church Regrets Worship Disruption Causing Trauma to Children

GMS Central spokesperson Josiah Michael stated that a crowd of dozens from the FJI vigilante group arrived on Sunday, 24 May at 7:59am WIB, demanding that GMS Bantul cease worship activities, claiming they could disrupt religious harmony and social cohesion. “We deeply regret the incident involving the dissolution of worship, accompanied by alleged physical and verbal intimidation and threats from irresponsible individuals targeting GMS Bantul members,” Josiah Michael told journalists, as reported by detikJogja on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. He added that the worship session was forced to disband following the commotion. “This incident has left wounds and trauma among the congregation, particularly the children,” he said. According to Josiah, religious freedom and peaceful worship are fundamental human rights guaranteed and protected by the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) through Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution. “Imposing restrictions on worship through intimidation leading to violence undermines the nation’s values of tolerance and harmony,” he stated. Yulius Suharta, acting head of Bantul Unity and Politics Agency, confirmed the incident had occurred. He stated it took place on Sunday, 24 May. “Bantul Unity and Politics Agency did not merely wait for reports; upon receiving information of potential opposition to GMS activities, we had already coordinated the response,” he told journalists on Monday, 25 May. Yulius added that the agency had attempted to anticipate the situation, but the incident still occurred.