ROME (CWNews.com/Fides)

    A Christian was beheaded on Saturday in a Christian area of Ambon city in the conflict-torn Indonesia region of the Moluccas. according to Bishop Joseph Tethool, auxiliary of Ambon.

    Bishop Tethool confirmed that the area of Ponegono Atas, which has a Protestant majority, has been besieged since Thursday. During the clashes on Saturday evening, the Protestant church of Sejahtera was burned and 8 Christians were killed.

    The escalation of violence launched by the Jihad warriors is focused on the central area of Ambon city, where most of the Christians live. The bishop said: "the residents are terrified." Bombing and gunshots went on until Sunday morning.

    The Islamic militias have attacked from the Muslim quarter which lies in the hills, toward the central area of the city, in the direction of the Molucca Government Offices. There is a school nearby which is now used as the headquarter of the 509th Army Battalion and the Police Mobile Brigades. The jihad warriors had threatened the attack days before because elements of the 509th had seized 14 Muslim militants.

    Meanwhile, Christian residents of four areas on the outskirts of Ambon have been evacuated, increasing the number of refugees amassed at the east end of Ambon city.

    Bishop Tethool declared that "the [state of] civil emergency launched by the Central Government appears more and more counterproductive. We were expecting it would bring peace and instead Muslims attack more violently then ever, even in the inner city."

    Bishop Tethool said he has not yet received any news of the dialogues between an interconfessional delegation and the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. The delegation, which left Ambon last week, is composed of Amboina Bishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi and members of the Anglican and Reformed churches. They are currently in London, meeting government and Church personnel, asking for a UN international intervention to bring peace to the Moluccas.

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