https://www.paxchristi.

net/news/pax-christi-international-mourns-death-
international-board-member-fr-neles-tebay-papua-peace?
fbclid=IwAR2RdFMiglORfXCkblYVqhWJHBjusNaUCKEkDv8npOGghu4zNJVN3G6Vwbg#sthash.TRv3wCq
v.aOgtDs9I.dpbs

Pax Christi International mourns the death of International Board member Fr. Neles
Tebay of the Papua Peace Network

16/4/19 - It is with great sadness that Pax Christi International shares the news
of the death of Fr. Neles Tebay, a member of our International Board and the
coordinator of the Papua Peace Network. Fr. Neles, who suffered from bone cancer,
had been in intensive care for the last few weeks at St. Carolus Hospital in
Central Jakarta. He died on Sunday, 14 April.

"We have been deeply saddened to hear of the death of Fr. Neles Tebay, priest of
West Papua, committed advocate for justice and peace and member of the Pax Christi
International Board," stated Kevin McBride of Pax Christi Aotearoa-New Zealand. "As
we pray for the repose of his soul, we recall him in life, a cheerful companion, a
committed champion of his people's aspirations for self-determination and at all
times, a man of peace."

McBride, who had the privilege of working with Fr. Neles in his struggle for peace
for his people in his own land, went on to say that he saw first-hand "the trust
his people put in him to represent them faithfully and with justice."

Fr. Neles had also been a professor at the Fajar Timur School of Philosophy and
Theology in Abepura, a member of the Interfaith Forum for Religious Leaders, and a
dedicated member of the Ecumenical Fellowship of Churches in Papua. For 10 years he
actively contributed to weekly journal publications in Jayapura, West Papua, as
well as in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"We are saddened to hear of the untimely demise of Pax Christi-Asia Pacific member
Fr. Neles Tebay, who was also part of PC-AP's Facilitation Team," wrote Jasmin
Nario Galace on behalf of the Pax Christi-Asia Pacific regional network. "We thank
God for Fr. Neles' continuing contribution to peace and nonviolence in the world,
especially by involving his Papuan community in negotiations within Indonesia. In
his peace work, he emphasised the importance of dialogue in finding solutions to
conflict."

Fr. Neles had trained for various peacebuilding initiatives at the international
level and was elected to be a member of the Advisory Council at the National
Commission on Human Rights in Indonesia from 2013 to 2017. For many years he worked
to bring an end to the long-running insurgency in Indonesia�s easternmost region,
Papua. In 2017, he met with President Widodo in Jakarta for the Papua-Jakarta
dialogue to try and end the violence.

"Neles was a beautiful person who dedicated his life to achieving peace in West
Papua," stated Pax Christi International Co-President Marie Dennis. "During his
tenure on the Pax Christi International Board, our movement was blessed by the
witness of an amazing peacemaker."

____________

"We have been deeply saddened to hear of the death of Fr. Neles Tebay, priest of
West Papua, committed advocate for justice and peace and member of the Pax Christi
International Board. As we pray for the repose of his soul, we recall him in life,
a cheerful companion, a committed champion of his people's aspirations for self-
determination and at all times, a man of peace.
We had the privilege of working with him in his struggle for peace for his people
in his own land and saw the trust his people put in him to represent them
faithfully and with justice. At all times, no matter how fraught the situation, he
managed to show a cheerful disposition and a respect for the dignity of all people.
In farewelling him, we commit ourselves to carrying on his greatest wish, that his
people should be free to determine their own future in their own land, at all times
in the spirit of the Peace of Christ. May he rest in peace." ~ Kevin McBride, Pax
Christi Aotearoa-New Zealand

"I have known Neles for many years as have many of our members in Pax Christi
Australia and he had a close relationship with our sister organisation, Pax Christi
Aotearoa-New Zealand. Pax Christi Australia was always grateful for his membership
on the International Board of Pax Christi as our representative in this region. Fr.
Neles came to Australia a number of times and participated in one of our National
Conferences as a member of the Pax Christi International Board. We were always
touched by his commitment to peace and justice in West Papua and we learned from
listening to him and reading his articles. Words cannot capture what we feel about
this beautiful man and his contribution to his people and beyond." ~ Father Claude
Mostowik msc, President, Pax Christi Australia

"We are saddened to hear of the untimely demise of Pax Christi-Asia Pacific (PC-AP)
member Fr. Neles Tebay, who was also part of PC-AP's Facilitation Team. We thank
God for Fr. Neles' continuing contribution to peace and nonviolence in the world,
especially by involving his Papuan community in negotiations within Indonesia. In
his peace work, he emphasised the importance of dialogue in finding solutions to
conflict. May his soul rest in eternal peace." ~ Pax Christi-Asia Pacific regional
network

"I have no words to express what is deep in my heart after receiving the sad news
of Fr. Neles passing on to new life. I am so happy that I managed to meet him
during one of the Board meetings. He was such a gem in our midst and an epitome of
peace not only for his people but for us all. May his life and passing bring real
peace to the people he loved and served so faithfully. I will pray for his soul and
for the comfort of his people." ~ Sr. Wamuyu Wachira, Kenya, Pax Christi
International Board member

"What sad news! I ... was very much impressed by his commitment to peace-building
and respect for human dignity, even among those with whom he tried to build
understanding." ~ Elena Vilenskaya, Russian Federation, Pax Christi International
Board member

"I will always remember the passion with which he engaged in his very important
ministry in the quest for freedom and justice for his people, and yet at the same
time he was such a warm and very relational person with everyone - and so ready to
make us all laugh. What a great loss to the whole Pax Christi family and above all
the people of the whole region where he worked. We need now to celebrate his life
and work/ministry with deep gratitude, praying that our God will bless Neles with
the peace of God's presence for ever." ~ Bishop Kevin Dowling, South Africa, Pax
Christi International Co-President

"It was a joy to work with him, to hear of his work and to hear his laughter. He
will be greatly missed by us, by his community, and by those for whom he was
constantly working for justice." ~ Ann Farr, UK, Pax Christi International Board
member

"Kevin�s message expresses a deep and touching image of how Neles gave courageous
testimony of his faith through a tireless commitment for the dignity and rights of
the West Papuan people in the light of the gospel and the teaching of the Church.
He departed to eternal life in this special time of reflection and hope in the
Resurrection. Let�s pray to be able to support his nonviolent struggle for just
peace in West Papua together with Pax Christi in the Asia Pacific region." ~ Carmen
Artigas, Uruguay, Pax Christi International Board member