Archbishop Mandagi denies claims in Pesta Babi documentary, defending the Catholic Church’s role in protecting Papuan dignity and communities.
Newsroom (25/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) Archbishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi has strongly rejected allegations directed at the Catholic Church in South Papua following the release of Pesta Babi (Pig Festival), a controversial documentary that criticizes Indonesian government-backed development projects in the region.
The prelate, who leads the Archdiocese of Merauke, dismissed claims that the Church has supported or benefited from the so-called National Strategic Projects (PSN), which have come under scrutiny for their environmental and social impact. “The accusations against me and the archdiocese are entirely baseless,” Mandagi said, describing the narrative as deeply misleading.
The film, directed by Indonesian filmmakers Dandhy Dwi Laksono and Cypri Paju Dale, focuses on large-scale agricultural and industrial developments, particularly food plantations and bioethanol production initiatives. These projects have been accused of driving deforestation, displacing indigenous communities, and transforming traditional ways of life in Papua.
Its title references the pesta babi, a cultural tradition of the Muyu people symbolizing harmony between humans and nature—an equilibrium the film portrays as increasingly threatened.
Since its release, the documentary has sparked widespread debate both domestically and internationally, drawing criticism not only toward the Indonesian government but also toward the Catholic Church. Some activists have alleged that the Archdiocese of Merauke has implicitly supported the development agenda.
Archbishop Mandagi categorically denied such accusations, emphasizing that the Church has maintained a neutral stance while prioritizing unity within the local faithful. He explained that his prolonged silence on the issue was deliberate, intended to avoid deepening divisions.
“If I continue to respond to every false accusation, my words will be twisted further,” he said. “I do not want the faithful in Merauke Archdiocese to become divided over the PSN issue.”
Drawing on religious imagery, the archbishop compared his restraint to the example of Jesus before his accusers, underscoring what he sees as the moral imperative to rise above provocation.
Mandagi also challenged the documentary’s portrayal of events, arguing that it lacks balance and omits the perspective of the Church, which has been present in Papua for decades. According to him, the filmmakers did not consult local clergy or Church leaders.
“They never came to ask the bishop or the priests serving in the field,” he said. “They only listened to parties who shared the same objectives as the filmmakers.”
The archbishop further rejected claims that Church institutions had sold land or accepted financial benefits from corporations linked to the contested projects. “The accusation that the Church has been bribed is deeply painful,” he said.
Highlighting the Church’s longstanding presence in remote areas, Mandagi pointed to its extensive social and pastoral work. He described a network of services including schools, healthcare centres, agricultural and livestock programmes, credit unions, and economic initiatives designed to support indigenous communities.
“We have spent years living here, struggling to uphold the dignity of Papuans,” he said, adding that many priests serve in isolated villages along rivers, sharing in the daily hardships faced by local populations.
For the archbishop, the Church’s mission is fundamentally distinct from the goals of state-driven development programmes. “We believe that humanity is not saved by PSN, but by love and fraternity,” he said, invoking the Latin phrase Amor vincit omnia—love conquers all.
While critical of the documentary, Mandagi stopped short of calling for its censorship. Instead, he encouraged audiences to engage with it thoughtfully. “Watch the film, but do not lose your critical thinking,” he urged.
The controversy has also drawn responses from other Church figures. Father Patris Allegro defended the archbishop, warning against framing the debate in simplistic or ideological terms. He cautioned that discussions about Papua risk being reduced to a binary between “pro-government” and “anti-government” positions, obscuring the region’s complex realities.
According to Allegro, such polarization can turn public discourse into a propaganda battle, sidelining the lived experiences of indigenous communities.
Mandagi echoed these concerns, suggesting that both the debate surrounding PSN and the Pesta Babi film could be instrumentalized for political purposes. “I choose silence because I do not want to be dragged into political currents,” he said. “The Church only fights for humanity.”
In closing, the archbishop emphasized that silence should not be mistaken for complicity, nor vocal criticism for moral authority. The Church’s role, he argued, is measured not by public statements but by sustained presence and service.
“The Church is present through schools, clinics, parish ministries, economic assistance, credit unions, family pastoral care, catechesis, liturgy, prayer, and years of quiet service,” he said.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Asianews.it
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