Chaput says anti-Christian sentiment growing
By Mike Soraghan
Denver Post Staff Writer

Washington - Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput said the October murder of three Christian girls in Indonesia was an example of growing violence against Christians by Muslims across the world.

"Anti-Christian discrimination and violence seem to be growing throughout the Islamic world," Chaput said. "I would call on all persons of good will - not just American Christians but American Muslims - to demand from our government and our ally Indonesia an immediate effort to end the violence against Christians in Indonesia."

Chaput spoke at the U.S. Capitol at a forum put on by Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., entitled "Christmas Under Siege Around the World." Santorum, a conservative Roman Catholic, introduced Chaput as "a friend and someone I work with on a variety of issues."
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Indonesian Church Seriously Damaged by Fire

Unknown attackers set fire to the Beth Eden Protestant Church in Manado, Indonesia on the night of December 8. There were no injuries, even though the pastor and his family were living in the building. However, the building received extensive damage. Stephen Liow, the church's pastor, told Asia News that he had been receiving anonymous calls for the past few months from people threatening to burn down the church building.

The Christmas season in Indonesia has often been a time of suffering for Christians who are targeted by Islamic militants. Due to the heightened threat of terrorism, thousands of police officers have been put on alert. A police spokesman said, "Churches and other worship buildings have become our top priority to secure along with entertainment centres, shopping compounds." link


Muslims to guard churches

JAKARTA, DECEMBER 9: Volunteers from Indonesia's largest Islamic organisation will guard churches across the world's most populous Muslim nation on Christmas amid fears of terrorist attacks on those places, the group said on Friday.

Jakarta police have said they would boost security in the capital ahead of Christmas to avoid a repeat of 2000 Christmas Eve bombings on churches in several Indonesian cities, including in the country's capital. Story