Theresia Sufa, Bogor – The origin of the St. Johannes Catholic church's closure last week in Bogor, West Java, can be traced to one thing: its failure to the signature of Waru village head, where the church is located.

The church's spokesman, Hendrik Masan Hena, said that the church, which is sealed off due to lack of a permit, had tried to obtain the permit for years, but the village chief refused to sign the application.

"We have been able to collect 204 signatures from villagers living near the church, but the chief always turns down our request," he said on Sunday.

Waru village head Toing Haryanto admitted that he was reluctant to sign the application letter. "I admit that there are people who agree with the presence of the church, but there are others who don't, such as Islamic clerics in the area," he said. "So I'm confused as to whether to sign the letter or not. To avoid public uproar, I decided to not do so."

Heads of neighborhoods in the village, however, said that their residents had no objections whatsoever to the church. One neighborhood head, Syahrudin, said that as many as 60 families in his neighborhood agreed to give their signatures as support to the church.

"The church doesn't cause any harm to residents, and the land where it is located belongs to the church," he said.

Yayang, another neighborhood head, said his residents were not disturbed by the church. "They have given their signatures many times for the church's building permit," he said. "I'm dumbfounded why [the administration] have to make it difficult for them to worship. They have never disturbed us."

The church will keep fighting for the permit, because it has obeyed all the rules and followed all the procedures, according to the church's priest, Father Albertus Simbol Gaib.

"We've done what we supposed to do, but the administration prevented us [from getting the permit]," he said. "We beg the government to help and guide us."

The trouble started on Monday of last week, when officers from the Public Order Agency sealed the church after warning letters from the administration had been ignored. The administration demanded the church obtain a permit before holding services.

Such cases are not new to the regency. Since 2010, Taman Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church (GKI) have been barred from conducting services because the city administration revoked a permit it had previously approved.

Reviewing the case, the Supreme Court ruled against Bogor, ordering the reopening of the church. However, Bogor Mayor Diani Budiarto remains defiant.

In 2010, Bekasi regency closed the Filadelfia Congregation of Batak Protestant Church in Tambun, West Java, after local residents objected to its construction.