Papua: Christians and non-Christians celebrate 150 years of evangelisation
ICC News: Celebrations commemorate the arrival of the first missionaries from Germany. Everyone comes to share in the festivities, a “national holiday” for locals.
by Mathias Hariyadi Manokwari
2/5/10 Papau New Guinea (AsiaNews) – Indonesian Muslims join Christians in Papua to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Christianity’s arrival in the area. Most people of this easternmost territory of the country practice Christianity. The same is true for Flores Island and the Maluku Islands (Moluccas). But everyone gathered on Mansinam Island (Manokwari Regency) to celebrate the event.
Today in fact is considered a “national holiday” by locals, a day to remember the planting of the Christian seed in the territory. Thousands of people were ferried to the island to join in the festivities.
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The celebration was attended by Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu, Papua Military chief Major General Hotma Marbun, and Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Bekto Brapto.
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