Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
AWPA condemns the latest attack on a church in West Papua
19 May 2026
At least two civilians were feared dead and two others injured after an aerial bombing at a Catholic church compound in the Central Papua province.
The Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) reported that at least two civilians were feared dead and two others injured after an aerial bombing at the Catholic church compound by a suspected drone attack.
The incident occurred on the morning of the 17 May when the parishioners were gathered in the courtyard of the St. Paulus Nabuni Catholic Church in Mbamogo village in the Intan Jaya Regency.
This image shows two of the four injured in the aerial bombing on the St. Paulus Nabuni Catholic Church in Mbamogo village in Intan Jaya Regency, in Indonesia’s Central Papua Province, on May 17. (Photo: X)
According to Father Yanuarius Yance Yogi who is the parish priest at Bilogai, they had just finished Mass when suddenly an object (believed to be a grenade) fell from the sky and exploded.
Four people received serious injuries and were identified as Petrus Pogau, Robert Nabelau, Pius Pogau, and Piter Nabelau. First aid was given at the church and the injured taking to hospital.
According to reports circulating on social media, two of the injured have died. It was also alleged that the Indonesian military had carried out the bombing, although at this stage there is no independent confirmation or an official statement from the military regarding its alleged involvement or use of drones in the incident.
Local vllage leaders held an emergency meeting to express concern over the safety of the parishioners and called for a transparent investigation to prevent rumours from escalating tensions.
Joe Collins of AWPA said, “this is just another incident in the escalating conflict in West Papua. If pressure is not put on Jakarta to stop its military committing human rights abuses, we will have a spiral effect of ongoing clashes between the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB ) and the security forces, resulting in military operations, human rights abuses, killings of civilians and more IDP”s” .
AWPA has written a letter to Foreign Minister raising concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in the territory (13 May). https://awpasydneynews.blogspot.com/2026/05/awpa-statement-letter-to-foreign.html
Joe Collins said “The next few years will be crucial in the lives of Papuans and raising awareness of the issue is still of major importance, wherever supporters can”. If Canberra wants a stable region to our north , it better start caring about the human rights situation in West Papua, otherwise the Papuans might look elsewhere for help.
A message for Canberra from West Papuans
And their supporters will continue to raise awareness of the issue
West Papuan Ronny Kareni spoke to community groups in the Blue Mountains raising awareness of the issue on the 9 May 2026
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