I may not judge a book by its cover, but I certainly take
notice of the cover. Into the Deep Seeking justice for the people of West Papuafeatures an image of a lone man walking a rough road in the highlands of
West Papua. It is a telling image of the wonderful way in which the author,
Peter Arndt weaves storytelling, history and theology into a compelling
narrative.
This small booklet is part of the Catholic
Social Justice series which began in. 1987 and continues to provide
research, education and advocacy about the Church’s social justice teaching and
their application within the Catholic Church in Australia.
This paper draws our attention to West Papua and in the words
of Bishop Vincent Long who wrote the forward, Peter “honours us by sharing his
experience over a number of years. He shows us how he has come to understand
their indomitable desire for self determination and to recognize how the Gospel
calls him to walk beside his friends on their journey”.
This booklet is a call to action grounded in the spirituality of the Gospel and nourished
by solid political and historical documentation. Peter Arndt provides us with a
fresh and challenging approach to the classic catholic social teaching of
solidarity. By sharing his personal journey with the people of West Papua Peter
takes us as the title suggests into a deep appreciation of solidarity in
suffering, struggle and determination.
Into the Deep is a personal diary as much as an educational
tool. It will be useful for groups and individuals looking for an introduction
to a regional issue that calls for our attention. The notes referenced in the
paper provide further reading and valuable resources. The names of West Papuans
whose testimonies and stories are shared can also be found in videos and
reports online. This electronic material supports Peter’s commitment to the
journey of self determination for the Indigenous people of West Papua.
Schools will find this booklet a useful reference for senior
study of religion, history and social study. Again, most of the references
provided by Peter are accessible online for those wanting to research original
sources. The booklet lends itself to a
series of lesson plans which could include valuable learning outcomes in
narrative, history, religion and politics.
So, back to the cover where the lone figure walking that
rough road in the West Papua highlands
invites us to a deep understanding of the history, the politics and the
struggle for self determination in West Papua. I recommend this booklet as a
pilgrim text to be read and then responded to with the words and deeds of Jesus that nourishes
our faith.
Into the Deep Seeking Justice for the people of West
Papua by Peter Arndt is available
in print and electronic versions.
Follow this book on goodreads
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