Oleh PZK/Pelbagai Sumber

JAKARTA — Dalam langkah bersejarah yang membentuk hala tuju baharu bagi Gereja Katolik di seluruh benua, para uskup Asia mengakhiri Sidang Pleno ke-12 Persidangan Uskup-uskup Asia (FABC) pada 26 Jul 2026 dengan satu draf mesej berani bertajuk “You Will See Greater Things”, satu visi menyeluruh yang meletakkan Gereja sebagai pembina jambatan penting di rantau yang dilanda polarisasi, kemiskinan, dan krisis ekologi.

Daripada mengeluarkan dekri akhir, sidang tersebut menerapkan pendekatan sinodal, komited kepada garis masa permuafakatan yang akan menyaksikan mesej itu disahkan secara rasmi pada awal 2027, satu bukti kepada model “berjalan bersama” yang kini termaktub sebagai piawaian bagi Gereja Asia.

Visi Untuk Asia

Draf mesej sepuluh perenggan sebagai dokumen hasil persidangan menggarisbawahkan empat tuntutan utama Gereja di Asia yang paling mendesak:

Pembinaan Jambatan

Gereja dipanggil menjadi “jambatan kepercayaan di waktu syak wasangka, jambatan kedamaian di tengah konflik, dan jambatan belas kasihan bagi golongan miskin dan terpinggir.”

AI & Etika

Seruan tegas untuk penggunaan kecerdasan buatan secara beretika, mendesak agar teknologi menjunjung martabat manusia dan menentang manipulasi serta maklumat palsu.

Perubahan Ekologi

Rayuan mendesak untuk “pertaubatan ekologi” bagi melindungi bumi untuk generasi akan datang.

Dialog Antara Agama

Komitmen yang dilambangkan dengan kuat apabila para perwakilan berjalan melalui Terowong Silaturahmi Jakarta, menghubungkan Katedral dengan Masjid Istiqlal, di mana mereka disambut oleh Imam Besar dan Menteri Agama Nasaruddin Umar.

Baca berita penuh dalam Catholic Sabah Vol 69 No 16 bertarikh Aug 16 2026.

By Paolo Affatato

From Aug 13-15, the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in the Archdiocese of Huế, Vietnam held grand celebrations under the theme of going to Mary, “to Mother’s home,” to find comfort and learn to become true disciples and missionaries.

“This shrine is at the heart of the faith of the Vietnamese people, who are particularly devoted to Our Lady of La Vang for historical and cultural reasons. La Vang is like the shrine of Lourdes in Vietnam,” observes Father Landry Varenne, a Vietnamese priest of the Paris Foreign Missions, referring to the grand pilgrimages that mark the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pilgrims came from northern, southern and central Vietnam, as well as from Vietnamese communities abroad. This year, their number exceeded 200,000, according to estimates by the local Church.

An example for the Vietnamese people

Father Francis highlights the faith of the people: “Everyone believes what Mary told our ancestors in 1789, namely that she would never abandon us. We believe that our Mother hears our prayers for the country, for the Church in Vietnam and for peace.”

Their devotion, he explains, is expressed through practices such as Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Stations of the Cross and the celebration of the Hour of Mercy. “The faithful feel that they are in the heart of the Mother, beneath her mantle; Mary is their refuge,” he stresses. There is also a missionary dimension, which this year’s congress strongly emphasised. “People learn, following Mary’s example, to bring the Lord and his love to others,” he notes.

The origins of the devotion

The origins of devotion to La Vang date back to 1798, during one of the harshest periods of persecution against Christians in the history of Vietnam. Emperor Cảnh Thịnh ordered churches to be destroyed and Catholics to be persecuted, as they were considered followers of a “foreign religion.” Many were forced to flee and found refuge in the dense jungle of La Vang, where they endured hunger, illness and cold, while fearing that they would be discovered and killed.

Each evening, the refugees gathered beneath a large banyan tree, lit a fire and prayed the Rosary. During one of these nighttime prayers, a Lady enveloped in light appeared, dressed in a traditional Vietnamese garment, holding the Child in her arms and accompanied by two angels.

Her message was above all one of consolation: “My children, be strong and have faith. I have heard your prayers.”

It is significant that Mary appeared precisely with the features and clothing of a Vietnamese woman. Her image, widely disseminated by the local Church, particularly since the late 20th century, expresses a profound connection between faith and identity. After centuries during which Catholics were accused of belonging to a “foreign religion,” La Vang “bears witness that it is possible to be fully Catholic and, at the same time, fully Vietnamese,” the bishops affirm today.

A faith that is a living memory

Above all, it is the image of a Mother who shares in the suffering of her children: Mary appears to the persecuted, the sick and the defenceless refugees. This is why Our Lady of La Vang has become “the Mother of Refuge,” a presence that soothes the wounds of a people marked by wars, invasions and persecution.

Even today, pilgrims seek to keep this memory alive: they sleep in tents beneath the shade of banyan trees, pray the Rosary and, during the celebrations, recount through theatrical performances the flight of 1798 and the apparition of the Virgin. Devotion thus becomes a living memory, capable of connecting the history of the faith with the concrete lives of local communities. – Vatican News

Vatican News

The death toll from the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Indonesia, particularly the island of Flores, on Saturday, Aug 15, has risen to at least 68, with 213 people injured. Nearly 13,000 people have been forced to leave their homes. Rescue operations are continuing in areas affected by landslides and cut off from the outside world.

On the morning of Aug 18, a new magnitude 6.1 earthquake was recorded off the coast of Sumatra, at a depth of 29 kilometres (18 miles), according to the Indonesian geophysical agency.

Children’s situation raises concern

There is particular concern for the situation of children in the aftermath of the quakes.

According to Save the Children, more than 8,000 children and adolescents in the province of East Nusa Tenggara are unable to attend school and face growing risks to their safety. More than 900 homes have been damaged by the earthquake and numerous aftershocks. In addition, at least 87 schools and 18 health centres are among the infrastructure affected. The earthquake has also struck communities already struggling with drought linked to the El Niño phenomenon and volcanic risks associated with Mount Lewotobi, compounding its impact on children’s health, education and psychosocial well-being.

“Children are among those most at risk”

Save the Children, together with the local organisation CIS (Circle of Imagine Society) Timor, is assessing the needs of families in order to launch relief efforts. The organization’s priorities include restoring access to education and supporting families’ livelihoods.

“Children are among those most at risk,” stressed Fadli Usman, Director of Humanitarian Response and Resilience at Save the Children Indonesia, warning that the immediate response will need to be accompanied by longer-term measures to address loss, malnutrition, child labor, early marriage and other child-protection risks.

Caritas is mobilizing

Caritas Indonesia has mobilized the Catholic Church’s humanitarian network in the dioceses affected by the earthquake, coordinating in particular with those of Ruteng, Labuan Bajo, Kupang, Maumere and Ende. Volunteers and diocesan teams are already assisting the population and taking part in evacuation operations. Parishes are gathering information about the needs of local communities. Among the most urgent needs, Caritas has identified drinking water, food, shelter and hygiene kits, healthcare, and support for the most vulnerable, particularly children, older people, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

The response follows the principle of “One Church, One Response”, through which, explained Caritas Indonesia Director Father Fredy Rante Taruk, dioceses, parishes, volunteers and Church structures are being mobilized to “respond quickly and effectively to the humanitarian situation” and ensure that aid reaches the affected communities. – Vatican News

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

By Gabriel Abdi Susanto

Caritas Indonesia has mobilized the Catholic Church’s humanitarian network across dioceses in response to the powerful magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), early Saturday morning, triggering a tsunami and causing damage in several areas.

The earthquake struck at 04:58:24 WIB, with its epicentre located approximately 30 kilometres northeast of Mbay, Nagekeo. The earthquake generated a tsunami, with the highest recorded sea-level change reaching 0.94 meters in Maurole, Ende. The tsunami warning was officially lifted at 07:31:30 WIB, after remaining in effect for approximately two hours and 33 minutes.

Initial reports indicated that the earthquake was strongly felt across Flores and parts of Sumba, Adonara and Solor. Areas including Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende, Sikka, Manggarai and Manggarai Barat have been identified as priorities for further assessment. As of the reporting cut-off, official consolidated data on casualties, injuries, displaced people and damaged houses was still being verified.

According to preliminary data from National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) on Aug 15, afternoon, 38 people had been reported dead. Damage was also reported to infrastructure, including the reported collapse of Lorenz Say Port and damage to the Pelni passenger terminal in Maumere. Reports of damaged houses and public buildings, as well as possible rockfalls, are still undergoing verification.

Caritas activates Church-wide response

Caritas Indonesia immediately coordinated with the dioceses of Ruteng, Labuan Bajo, Kupang, Maumere and Ende to monitor the situation and assess the impact in their respective areas.

“Caritas Indonesia is responding swiftly to the earthquake disaster in East Nusa Tenggara as part of the humanitarian responsibility of the Catholic Church in Indonesia,” said Fr Fredy Rante Taruk, Executive Director of Caritas Indonesia.

He said Caritas had coordinated with diocesan Caritas teams and the Socio-Economic Development Commission (PSE) to ensure that an immediate response could be carried out.

“As of today, the mobilization of volunteers and Caritas teams in each diocese is already underway, including providing assistance and supporting evacuation efforts for people affected by the earthquake,” he added.

The response is being carried out under the principle of “One Church, One Response,” bringing together different components of the Catholic Church to work collaboratively in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity.

“Caritas is mobilizing all components of the Church to work together, creating synergies and supporting one another so that we can respond to the humanitarian situation quickly, effectively and reach the people and communities affected,” Fr Fredy said.

Parishes mobilized

The local Churches in the affected dioceses, with the support of their bishops, have also encouraged parishes to take an active role in the emergency response.

According to the Caritas situation report, parishes have been asked to coordinate locally and gather information on the impact of the disaster in their respective communities, before reporting it to the diocesan level.

Caritas Ruteng, for example, has already evacuated patients from the local Regional General Hospital (RSUD) and established emergency tents for patients as a precaution against aftershocks and possible damage to hospital buildings.

Caritas Indonesia has also activated its Karina Emergency Response Network (KERNET) WhatsApp group as a central platform for information-sharing and emergency coordination among the Caritas network.

Following coordination with dioceses across NTT, Caritas Indonesia has decided to implement the response through the national Caritas Indonesia network and activate the National Emergency Response Solidarity Fund (Dana APP Tanggap Darurat Nasional). Caritas Indonesia has also activated the Crisis Response Team (CRT) of the Diocese of Maumere to support the response in Sikka Regency.

Immediate needs

The initial assessment by the Caritas network has identified several urgent needs, including evacuation and safety support, clean water, ready-to-eat food, shelter kits, hygiene kits, emergency health services and support for vulnerable groups such as children, older people, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with disabilities and those requiring regular medication.

Caritas is also emphasizing the importance of reliable information and coordination down to the parish level, particularly as aftershocks continue and misinformation can create additional risks for affected communities.

Fr Fredy stressed that the Church’s response is not limited to Caritas as an institution but involves the entire Church community.

“One Church, One Response” is therefore becoming the guiding spirit of the Catholic humanitarian response: dioceses, parishes, Caritas teams, volunteers and other Church components working together so that assistance can reach those most in need as quickly as possible.

The situation remains dynamic, and Caritas Indonesia will continue to update information as rapid assessments and official data from government agencies and the Caritas network become available. – Vatican News

By Sr Christine Masivo, CPS

For 30 years, the Missionaries of Mary Queen of Heaven have helped women who have been sexually exploited or trafficked by offering them shelter, counseling, education, and vocational training to help victims rebuild their lives and restore their dignity.

Mission of mercy and compassion

Sr Corazon J. Salazar, founder and Mother General of the Missionaries of Mary Queen of Heaven, established the community together with six other nuns in 1996 in response to the growing sexual exploitation and trafficking of the vulnerable girls and young women living in poverty in the Philippines.

Through their apostolate, the sisters focus on rebuilding hope and a future for the survivors of abuse and exploitation. The mission is to rescue girls and young women, some as young as eight, from prostitution and human trafficking, offering them a safe home, care, and loving attention. The community also provides educational assistance to victims and to children from impoverished rural communities so as to break the cycle of poverty.

The sisters provide the girls a safe environment, care, and support as they regain their confidence and become self-reliant.

Healing and new beginnings

The community runs ‘House of Love’ in Tuburan, near Cebu, that offers rehabilitation and support for victims of prostitution and sex trafficking. The Vatican’s Fides news agency reported that Archbishop Alberto S. Uy of Cebu, on his recent visit to the house, said, “Seeing the ministry of the Missionaries of Mary Queen of Heaven firsthand deeply moved me. This is a work that gives life.” He expressed his support for the ministry while calling for greater assistance to help the congregation complete its facilities and expand its care for vulnerable children and young women.

Another center run by the sisters is the ‘My Bonita Girls’ Home’ in Purok, in the municipality of San Jose, which assists minors who have suffered abuse.

These two centers provide rehabilitation and counseling, education, and vocational training to help survivors reintegrate into society.

Sr Corazon said that many women who have participated in this program have already been reintegrated into society and they are examples of how important long-term support is.

Education shield against trafficking

The sisters’ mission in curbing human trafficking and prostitution is focused on addressing the main cause of these social issues—poverty.

The ‘Regina Coeli Education Assistance Program’ supports children and families living in impoverished rural communities through education training. It aims to protect young people from illegal recruiters who operate in their communities, promising fictitious jobs in order to deceive parents and persuade them to send their children away.

The problem has evolved in the recent years, increasingly moving from physical locations to digital platforms.

Home for all

Cebu has always served as a place of origin, transit, and destination for trafficking victims, influenced by poverty in rural areas and strong tourist activity. International estimates indicate that between 60,000 and 100,000 children in the Philippines are forced into prostitution or sex trafficking every year.

According to the Philippine Department of Justice, sexual exploitation is the most widespread form of trafficking. Among identified victims nationwide, women and girls account for the overwhelming majority of cases. At the national level, more than 70% of trafficking convictions are specifically linked to commercial sexual exploitation.

For the Missionaries of Mary Queen of Heaven, the response goes beyond rescuing victims. Through shelter, healing, education, and employment opportunities, the sisters seek to give survivors the tools to rebuild their lives and to help vulnerable communities prevent exploitation before it happens. – Vatican News

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

“Sometimes we pray: ‘Lord, remove the storm.’ But Jesus may first say: ‘My child, I am with you in the storm.’ This is an important difference. Faith does not always mean that there will be no storms. Faith means: We do not face the storms alone.”

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, Myanmar, expressed this during Mass on the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time.

In his homily, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar reminded the faithful that, like the disciples who were afraid during the storm in the day’s Gospel passage according to Saint Matthew, they are to abandon their fear and take courage, knowing that the Lord is at their side.

The Cardinal recognised that the people of Myanmar have faced great suffering, but urged them to see God’s presence in the daily acts of others.

Myanmar has known many storms

Cardinal Bo said the readings speak very deeply to the situation in the country today, as “Myanmar has known many storms.”

In particular, he underlined that there have been storms of conflict and violence, of displacement and poverty, of fear and uncertainty, of grief and loss, which have “taken away homes, schools, livelihoods and sometimes the lives of loved ones.”

“Many families,” the Cardinal recognized, “are asking: ‘When will this storm end?’ Many young people are asking: ‘What kind of future will I have?’ Many parents worry: ‘Will my children be safe?’”

He acknowledged that some may even ask: “Where is God?”

In this context, Cardinal Bo noted, the first reading, in which God did not abandon Elijah even if it may have seemed that way, “gives us the answer.”

For God, he emphasised, was present, but Elijah had to learn to recognise Him. He would be found not in the great or spectacular events, as Elijah had expected, but in a “quiet” way.

God accompanies His people quietly

Cardinal Bo observed that God can be seen in “a mother comforting her child, a father protecting his family, a priest who remains with his people during difficult times, or religious sisters serving displaced families.”

At other times, the Cardinal continued, He is present through “someone who shares a little food with another hungry person; through a Christian who says: ‘I will not hate’; through a person who says: ‘I will choose peace’; through someone who says: ‘Let us reconcile.’”

Cardinal Bo acknowledged that these may seem like small things, “but sometimes the gentle breeze of God is hidden in small acts of love.”

Enormous burdens upon young people

He also addressed words of faith and encouragement to young people, whom he recognised as carrying enormous burdens today.

Some, he said, “have had their education interrupted. Some have been separated from their families. Some have lost friends. Some are uncertain about their future,” while others “may be tempted to believe that their generation has no future.”

In this context, he called on young people not to surrender their future to hatred.

“Do not allow the wounds of today,” he said, “determine the whole story of your life.”

Men and women of conscience

He told them that they are not only victims of history, but can become builders of a new history and of peace.

Reminding them they could become teachers, doctors, engineers, farmers, journalists, religious, priests, parents, community leaders, he told them to above all, be “men and women of conscience.”

Telling them how important they and their talents are to Myanmar, Cardinal Bo insisted, “Jesus says to you today: ‘Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid.’”

He also said that in this “noisy world,” especially due to political noise and social media, which propagate fear, anger, propaganda and rumours, it can become hard to hear God’s voice. But, regardless, it is always there, and we must rediscover His voice.

Keep your eyes on Jesus

The Cardinal also reminded the faithful that Christ is with us, that faith always has the last word, and urged them to keep their eyes always on Jesus.

He invited the faithful to join him in praying to Jesus to accompany all the people of Myanmar and give them courage, wisdom and hearts for reconciliation.

Cardinal Bo concluded by praying for the day “when the storms cease, the tears are wiped away, families return home, children return to school, communities are rebuilt, and the people of Myanmar can once again live together in peace, dignity, justice and reconciliation. Amen.” – Vatican News

（亞庇訊）五月間，馬來西亞、新加坡及汶萊天主教會的領導人展開為期六天的朝聖之旅，追隨宗徒的足跡，前往聖伯多祿及聖保祿宗徒墓前朝聖。此行的目的，是履行一項已有逾1300年歷史的教會傳統——「宗座述職朝聖」（Ad LiminaApostolorum）。

2026年5月18日至23日，馬來西亞、新加坡及汶萊天主教主教團（CBCMSB）成員前往羅馬進行五年一次的述職朝聖。這也是自教宗良十四世於2025年5月8日就任第267任教宗以來，首次舉行的述職朝聖活動。代表團共有十位主教，包括兩位樞機、三位總主教、四位主教及一位教區署理。

上一次述職朝聖於2018年舉行。原定於2022年進行的朝聖行程，因教宗方濟各逝世而重新安排，並獲新任教宗批准調整時間。

完整故事請閱讀2026年7月5日出版的第806期《沙巴公教報》

By UCA News Reporter

Catholics on Indonesia’s eastern island of Lembata have paid tribute to an American priest who spent six decades serving the islanders and empowering generations of Catholics with pastoral activism.

Divine Word missionary Father Nicholas Strawn, popularly known as Father Niko, died at Bukit Lewoleba Hospital in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara province, on Aug 4. He was 92.

He arrived in Indonesia in 1963 at the age of 29. He has been mostly based in the Diocese of Larantuka in East Nusa Tenggara, serving Catholic parishes of Sacred Heart in Lerek and St Joseph in Boto.

According to the Divine Word congregation, Father Strawn’s demise marks the end of an era in the history of the island where foreign missionaries preached Catholicism and nurtured faith for decades.

“We remember him as a priest who was very close to the people, willing to visit remote areas and greet us warmly, while reminding us to study well,” Anselmus Deri, a Catholic and journalist from Lembata, told UCA News.

Deri recalled that after Mass, Father Strawn often invited young people to the rectory and told them stories from international magazines so they could learn about the wider world.

“I later realized that such experience helped shape our decision to become writers and journalists,” Deri said, adding that dozens of writers and journalists like him came from his St Joseph in Boto.

He said some students who could not afford school fees sometimes borrowed money from the priest.

“They later repaid him with pork, venison or chicken,” Deri said.

Deri said Father Strawn’s witness also helped foster priestly vocations. Sacred Heart Parish in Lerek, where the missionary served for 24 years, now has about 50 priests, including retired Franciscan Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar of Jayapura, and dozens of nuns.

Justin Wejak, a Catholic researcher and ethnographer from Lembata who lives in Melbourne, Australia, said he first met Father Strawn in the 1970s when the priest visited Lewokukung station in Kalikasa Parish to celebrate monthly Mass.

He came to know the missionary more closely at San Dominggo Seminary in Hokeng in the early 1980s, where he remembered him as a priest who encouraged students to study hard and pray.

Wejak said many Lembata Catholics remembered Father Strawn for his constant smile, simple manner and ability to make people feel close to the Church.

Father Strawn was born on Sep 24, 1934, in Oelwein, Iowa, in the United States.

He began serving in Sacred Heart Parish in Lerek in February 1964 and later moved to St Joseph Parish in Boto in 1987.

Lembata is part of the Diocese of Larantuka, which covers the East Flores and Lembata regencies as well as the islands of Adonara and Solor.

As of 2023, the diocese had about 226,821 Catholics out of a total population of 277,505, according to official Church data. – UCA News

By Stanislaus Jumar Sudiyana

The village of Lewouran, nestled at the foot of Mount Lewotobi in East Flores, Indonesia, witnessed a spiritual milestone on Aug 3. On that day, Father Markus Solo Kewuta, SVD, returned to his birthplace bringing with him two precious relics from St Peter’s Basilica.

The warmth of a native son’s homecoming blended with profound religious reverence as hundreds of the faithful lined the streets leading to Saint Peter the Apostle Mission Station Church. Kneeling with bowed heads, the local Catholic community welcomed Fr Markus, affectionately known as Padre Marco, as he carried the sacred relics entrusted from Rome.​

The homecoming was marked by traditional East Flores hospitality. Village elders draped Fr Markus in traditional woven cloth (kain tenun) and offered betel nut and traditional drinks – a symbolic gesture of deep respect and acceptance for a priest who has spent years serving the Universal Church at the Holy See.​

Bridging the Local and Universal Church​

Padre Marco, who currently serves at the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, brought two significant gifts to his home parish, which was built roughly 25 years ago through the collective labor (gotong royong) of the local faithful.

The two relics are soil from the tomb of Saint Peter the Apostle​ and a  stone fragment from the Holy Door (Porta Sancta) of Saint Peter’s Basilica​. Both are accompanied by official certificates of authenticity issued by the Vatican.​

“In Catholic tradition, relics are not objects of worship, but tangible signs that connect us to the lives and witness of the saints,” Fr Markus explained during his visit.

“The presence of Saint Peter’s relics here in Lewouran signifies the profound communion between our local Church in East Flores and the Universal Church.”​

Reflecting on the parish’s humble origins, Fr Markus recalled the church’s construction around the year 2001.​

“A quarter of a century ago, when we were building this chapel, we could never have imagined that relics from Rome would one day rest here. Back then, I expressed a hope that this place would become a center of spiritual growth and welcome many pilgrims. Today, we see that dream slowly taking shape.”​

He emphasized that the arrival of the relics is not a cause for mere pride, but an invitation to spiritual renewal: “It is a calling for us to deepen our faith, strengthen our sense of fraternity, and serve others. My prayer is that this church becomes a sanctuary for prayer, pilgrimage, and hope.”​

A Source of Inspiration​

The event was also celebrated by local civic leaders. Yohanes Kleden, Head of the Ile Bura District, expressed the community’s pride in welcoming Padre Marco back home.​

“Having a native of East Flores serving in such an important role at the Vatican inspires our entire community,” Kleden remarked. “It gives our young people a reason to dream and dedicated themselves to serving others.”

​During his stay, Fr Markus is scheduled to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving, visit local educational institutions and dormitories under his guidance, and officially entrust the relics to the St Peter Mission Station Church before returning to his ministry in Rome.​

Born in Lewouran in 1968, Fr Markus joined the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and became the first Indonesian priest to serve in the Roman Curia in 2015. He gained widespread recognition in Indonesia as the official translator for Pope Francis during the Pontiff’s Apostolic Journey to Indonesia in Sep 2024.​

For the people of Lewouran, the enshrinement of St Peter’s relics turns a modest village church into a beacon of faith, prayer, and pilgrimage for generations to come. – Vatican News