EAST TIMOR, INDONESIA CONFRERES IN ROME FOR FINAL
VOWS
ROME: In a simple but moving ceremony near the
Catacombs of St. Callistus, six confreres, including one from East Timor and one
from Indonesia, professed their Perpetual Vows before Genera Councillor Antonio
Domenech this morning. Acacio Domingos De Castro (Timor Leste) and Matius
Sudiantoro are part of a group of confreres studying at Cremisan (near
Bethlehem) and joined a much larger group from the Italy-MOR Region for
preparation at Rieti, Italy, for their Perpetual Profession. All six at
the St. Tarcisio Church this morning were non-Italians and included David
Mubenga (Congo), Peter Myo Khin and Lucas Pho Lha (both from Myanmar), and Robin
Rai (India). Robin is studying at Cremisan but has also been assigned as a
missionary to MOR.
Given the distance of each of these young confreres from
their families, it was not possible for them to be accompanied by family
members, for the most part, for this significant moment. But the presence
of Fr. Julian Fox from the East Asia-Oceania Region and also Fr. Walter Van
Wouwe who has worked in East Timor, Indonesia (and Vietnam) was meaningful
for the two candidates from that region.
Amongst the group visiting from Cremisan, though not
presenting for Final Vows this year,was a young Israeli Arab Salesian, who is
returning immediately this evening to Tel Aviv. The others will follow
later. There is some possibility that the location of the theologate may
change in the near future. Salesians and the Holy See have been in
discussion over a likely change. No decision has yet been indicated from
the Vatican.
