(ICC) – 12 churches have been ordered to close in the district of Rancaekek on the edge of Bandung (the capital of West Java ). The Wakil Bupati (vice-district offficer) has issued a letter stating that the churches should close. A Christian leaders’ association is currently negotiating with the government in an attempt to have the letter reversed. There is legal ground for the protest because some of the churches have
government permits. Rumors are flying stating that authorities are trying to make Rancaekek a district free of Christians. Other rumors say that if Rancaekek is able to close churches, the districts of Padalarang and Cianjur will attempt to do the same.
