By our own correspondent

Rome - Central Office of the ASC, 29 April 2020 -- After a long journey, growing from the first local centre in Dili (30 April, 2006) with first 6 promised members, through the establishment of an other two local centrers in Venilale (2015) and Laga (2017) the Salesian Cooperators in Timor Leste have received the decree of erection of their province from the Rector Major. With TLS province the East Asia-Oceania region of Salesian Cooperators (one of the 11 in the whole world) counts a total of 8 provinces: China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines South, Philippines North and Timor Leste - with more than 2500 promised members and some 400 aspirants.

The Rector Major, Fr Angel F. Artime, as Superior of the Association of Salesian Cooperators in his Decree of 'St Callistus Caravario Province ' established the province of Salesian Cooperators of Timor Leste (ASC-TLS) as part of the EAO region: In accordance with art 37.1 (PAL - Statutes) and art. 24.1 (PAL - Regulations) after considering the request of the World Coordinator Mr Antonio Boccia, in agreement with the interested centres and after the positive vote of the ASC World Executive Secretariat in its meeting on 18 March 2020 in Rome. The Rector Major also hopes for a more fruitful growth of Don Bosco's charism and mission in Timor Leste.

In the letter of request, Fr Apolinario Neto (TLS provincial) presents the ASC reality: "The Salesian cooperators in Timor Leste are composed of three Centres and 108 promised members: Dili centre with 71 members, Venilale centre with 26 members and Laga centre with 11 members. Each centre has its own Coordinator/Council with an SDB delegate. Most of them are couples and active in the schools, parishes and public services. They are now preparing for their first provincial general assembly for the establishment of the province."

We wish the new ASC Province a good start in its animation at national level, to be blessed with new vocations and dedicated SDB and FMA delegates. It's not a secret that the close accompaniment of the SDB provincial, Fr Apolinario Ornai Neto, has assisted the Salesian Cooperators in this delicate stage of province establishment. We are grateful to all dedicated first generation Salesian Cooperators and their SDB and FMA delegates over the past 20 years.

Related news articles:

• AustraLasia 3637 (0) New frontier of ASC in Timor Leste - Venilale (2015)
• AustraLasia 4569 (I) Third ASC center established in Timor Leste - Laga (2017)
• AustraLasia 5251 (IV) Towards a province of Salesian Cooperators of Timor Leste
• AustraLasia 5337 (II) Creative ministry of Salesian Cooperators in Dili

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