Churches more independent now

JAYAPUA, Irian Jaya: The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) has continued to work well with its foreign counterparts although they have reduced their donations significantly, PGI treasurer Frans Tumiwa told journalists yesterday.

Tumiwa said the decrease in financial aid from overseas churches showed that PGI had developed itself to be more self- reliant. Now 68 percent of its financial needs are covered by contributions from local congregations.

Speaking here in Jayapura, the capital of Indonesia's eastern-most province of Irian Jaya, where PGI is currently holding its congress, Tumiwa said the Communion had launched a three-pronged program aimed at enhancing its self-reliance in financial matters.

The Antara news agency quoted him as saying that over the past five years PGI had spent some Rp 2.6 billion to help churches across the country to implement their programs. (ego)