220 Personnel Secure Christmas Eve Mass At Cathedral

Jakarta, Dec 24 (Antara) -- As many as 220 security personnel were deployed to secure the Christmas Eve mass at Jakarta Cathedral on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Central Jakarta Police Resort, Adj. Snr. Comsr. Agus S., said. "So far, the situation has been safe. We hope Christmas celebrations at the cathedral run smoothly this year," Agus, who is the head of the public development unit of the Central Jakarta Police Resort, stated. Nearly five thousand Catholics attended the first session of the Christmas Eve mass at the church on Wednesday evening. The mass was divided into three sessions, with one starting at 5.00 p. m., one at 7.30 p. m. and one at 10.00 p. m.. The first session of the Christmas Eve mass at the church ran solemnly, an Antara journalist observed. The 220 security personnel include those from the National Police Headquarters, the Central Jakarta Police Resort, the Indonesian Military (TNI), and the Fire Department.