Scalabrinians in Indonesia

Indonesian Flag

Indonesia, the most archipelagic country in the world with its more than 17.000 islands, is largely known for its diversity of ethnics, languages and religions. This diversity is best articulated in its national motto, Bhineka tunggal Ika, that means many, yet one. In other words, unity in diversity. Besides being a plurastic society, Indonesia is also one of the migrant sending countries. There are more than 4 millions of Indonesians working and living abroad.

On June 29, 2002, the Bishop of Ruteng, Eduardus Sangsun, SVD, welcomed the Scalabrinians to open the formation house in his diocese. Before this formal opening, on March of the same year, 14 of the indonesians have been sent to Manila to undergo a formation to be a Scalabrinian religious missionary priest. These fourteen young Indonesians have undergone 10 months of preparation before going to the Philippines under the guidance of Sr. Alicia Sandoval, OSM.

In the Island of Flores, many young people want to join the Missionaries of St. Charles – Scalabrinians. In 2003, after one year of preparation in Ruteng, Flores, some students were sent to Jakarta to study philosophy while some others were sent to Manila, the Philippines. Because of various reasons, the congregation decided to transfer the students from Jakarta to Maumere, Flores. Here they sent the students to the philosophy school owned by the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD).

          After few years, there several Indonesians who are now sent to different Theological Schools (Rome, Chicago, Buonas Aires, Colombia, Manila) to prepare themselves to become Scalabrinian religious missionary priest. There is a big hope that these Indonesians choose to follow Christ in the footsteps of Scalabrini to the service of the migrants throughout the world.