JAYAPURA (UCAN): Church-run hospitals and clinics, such as Dian Harapan Hospital in Jayapura, in Indonesia’s Papua province, have become vital for many who would otherwise slip through gaping holes in the region’s health care net. A shortage of health facilities and professional health workers remains a long-standing problem despite the increasing clamour for better and more affordable services.
 

JAKARTA (AsiaNews): The body of 27-year-old Yuni Yesra Patatang, a Catholic teacher responsible for a youth group ministry, the Orang Muda Katolik, was found on the evening of September 12 in Ilaga in the Puncak Jaya district of the province of Papua in Indonesia.

News of his death was released by the Commission for Youth Ministry of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference.

JAYAPURA (UCAN): Peaceful demonstrations in support of Papuan independence from Indonesia were held in several areas of the predominantly Christian provinces of Papua and West Papua on April 13.

Jayapura (UCAN): Indonesian police are seeking to question Father John Djonga over possible treason charges for leading a prayer service attended by members of what they allege is a Papuan separatist group.

Father Djonga was summoned by police to appear at the station in Wamena on February 19. However, he refused to appear, saying that the police also needed to contact his superiors. But he submitted himself to questioning, in the company of a lawyer, on February 27, after police contacted his bishop.