By Fr Kasmir Nema, SVD
ENDE, Indonesia — In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Indonesia’s predominantly Catholic Island of Flores, Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden, SVD, says one image continues to stay with him: homes reduced to rubble, but communities refusing to let suffering break their bonds of faith and solidarity.
“Amid the ruins, their love has not been broken,” the Archbishop of Ende told Vatican News two days after the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake devastated large parts of the island.
The earthquake, which struck in the early hours of Aug 15, has claimed dozens of lives, injured hundreds, displaced thousands of people, and severely damaged homes, churches, schools, and public buildings across several districts of East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Yet amid grief and uncertainty, Archbishop Kleden says he has witnessed extraordinary signs of compassion and resilience among the people.
Death toll rises as aftershocks continue
According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the death toll had risen to 68 by 17 August, while 213 people had been injured.
Manggarai Regency recorded the highest number of fatalities, with 26 deaths, followed by East Manggarai with 24, Nagekeo with eight, Sikka with four, and Ende, West Manggarai, and Ngada with two deaths each.
More than 5,000 people remain displaced across several regencies. Sikka has reported the largest number of evacuees, with more than 3,300 people staying in temporary shelters and evacuation centers.
The earthquake struck at 4:58 am local time, with its epicenter located approximately 68 kilometers north-northwest of Ende. Although authorities later lifted the tsunami warning, the alert triggered widespread panic, particularly among communities living along the northern coast of Flores.
Since the main earthquake, more than 300 aftershocks have continued to shake the island, adding to people’s fears and preventing many families from returning to their homes.
In response to the disaster, the East Nusa Tenggara provincial government declared a two-week state of emergency from Aug 15 to 28.
“Their houses were cracked, but their love was not broken”
Archbishop Kleden was in Roe, near Mbay, when the earthquake struck. He had spent the night there after participating in the silver jubilee celebration of a fellow priest and was preparing to celebrate a Confirmation Mass later that day.
“We were all panicking,” he recalled. Following the tsunami warning, many residents immediately fled to higher ground.
Within hours, the Archbishop began visiting displaced families. Traveling by motorcycle along damaged roads, first with a village leader and later with his diocesan driver, he encountered people seeking refuge along roadsides, in forests, and in open areas near homes and schools. He returned to the same communities later that afternoon and again in the evening.
Reflecting on what he witnessed, Archbishop Kleden said two contrasting images remained deeply engraved in his memory. “First, I saw the panic and fear of the people because they did not know when they would be able to return home. It was painful to witness,” he said. “But I also saw an extraordinary solidarity among the faithful.”
Families living in relatively safer areas spontaneously built temporary shelters and shared food and other necessities with those who had lost their homes, even though many of their own houses had also been damaged. “Their houses were cracked, but their love was not broken,” he said.
One particular encounter left a lasting impression on the Archbishop. While traveling from Aeramo to Danga, he noticed a mother riding a motorcycle with her three children. One of the children was holding a small crucifix. “For me, that was a profound expression of faith,” he said. “That child was carrying the crucified Lord in the midst of their own way of the cross.”
Pope Leo XIV assures victims of his prayers
As communities across Flores continue to mourn their losses, Pope Leo XIV has expressed his closeness to those affected by the tragedy. In a telegram addressed to Archbishop Paulus Budi Kleden, the Holy Father conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones and assured all those affected of his spiritual solidarity.
The Pope said he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by the earthquake. Entrusting the victims to God’s loving mercy, he offered prayers for the dead, the injured, and all those participating in rescue and relief efforts.
The papal message was received with gratitude by local Catholics, many of whom continue to gather for prayer despite the destruction of churches and parish buildings.
In his own message to the faithful, Archbishop Kleden encouraged people not to surrender to despair. “As believers, we trust that we are not alone in a situation like this. God has not abandoned us,” he said. “With this conviction, we help ourselves, and we help others. Solidarity is the key in a situation like this.”
Despite the widespread destruction, priests throughout the Archdiocese of Ende have continued to celebrate Mass outdoors, following the Archbishop’s instructions. The faithful, he noted, have continued to gather for prayer and worship even while living in temporary shelters.
Church mobilizes emergency response
According to Archbishop Kleden, priests, religious, and lay Catholics responded immediately after the earthquake, even before any formal diocesan emergency program had been established. “This is Caritas in its truest sense,” he said.
The Archdiocese of Ende has since established a coordination team working closely with Caritas Indonesia to organize emergency assistance for affected communities. One of the immediate priorities is providing psychological and trauma-healing support, especially for children and families who continue to experience fear as aftershocks persist.
Church leaders have also begun planning for the long and difficult process of rebuilding homes, churches, schools, and public infrastructure. The scale of the destruction is enormous. Even the Archbishop’s residence sustained significant structural damage.
“We are working together with the government, NGOs, and all people of goodwill,” Archbishop Kleden said, “to rebuild from the rubble left by the earthquake.” He also asked Catholics around the world to continue praying for the people of Flores as they begin their journey toward healing and recovery. – Vatican News
