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.
