TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - The governor of Yogyakarta province in Central Java deplored an attack on St Lidwina church in Bedog, Sleman district, while people were still celebrating Mass on Sunday morning.
"I am very sad and regretful over why it could happen. It must never happen again," the governor, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, said after visiting three wounded victims of the incident treated at Panti Rapih hospital in the evening.
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Sultan, who is also chief of Javanese traditional Sultanate of Yogyakarta, said the incident did not reflect the real character of indigenous Yogyakartans because culture of cooperation and solidarity continued to be nurtured in the region.
"I do not understand and cannot comprehend why one can do such a cruel and inhuman act. Obviously it is not the character of the Yogyakartans," he said.
Sultan said inter-religious tolerance could not be done partially but it needed joint efforts. With the knowledge all parties should guard each other, he added.
"Especially to Catholic people and the victims I offer my apology over the incident. Although coordination has been made with security authorities it still happened," he said.
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Sultan said he had held a coordination meeting with the Communication Forum of Regional Leaders and during which he had urged regional leaders and Forum of Inter-Religious Harmony as well as mass organizations to assure thatbit will never happen again.
"We have agreed that we have to respect each other despite religious differences that we have. Not only the government but people must also be able to assure freedom of religion," he said.
ANTARA
