The philosophical and theological schools we visited were in Jogjakarta and Malang (in the island of Java in central Indonesia), in Kupang (in West Timor) and Maumere in the island of Flores. During the visit, we met some professors, deans of studies and superiors of the different religious communities like:the Carmelites, Claretians, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary (SSCC), SVD, Monfortans, Scalabrinians, Rogationists, Servants of Mary (OSF), Passionists, Fransciscans (OFM) and the Vocationists.

We also paid a friendly visit to the bishops of Dili and Maumere. But it was not possible to meet the Bishops of Jogjakarta, Malang and Kupang because they were out of town.

In the various conversations and sharing with the different religious superiors, the rectors of diocesan seminaries and deans of schools, we acquired very interesting information especially regarding the formation program of the candidates to the priesthood and religious life.

In Indonesia, the religious and priestly formation program adopted by the majority of the congregations includes the following:

1. Postulancy: one or two years. During this period, the candidates, coming mostly from Senior High School or the Minor Seminary (age 17 to 18), are introduced to religious life through courses on basic catechism, Sacred Scripture, Church history, history of the congregation, English, etc.
2. Novitiate: one year for all congregations except for the SVD with two years
3. Philosophy: four years with integrated theology courses.
4. Pastoral Year
5. Theology: two years (continuation of theology)      
6. Perpetual vows and Deaconate can be requested by the candidates during the last year of theology

The seminaries and theological schools visited were:

• Jogjakarta:  The Pontifical Faculty of Philosophy and Theology

The faculty is located in the Diocese of Semarang. It was organized as a Consortium by some dioceses and religious congregations ten years ago.  Three hundred forty students are studying at this Pontifical Faculty.

The Bishop of the diocese welcomes new congregations but only for study purposes of the candidates and not for pastoral ministry.

• Malang: Faculty of Philosophy and Theology

The faculty is also formed as a consortium between the Diocese of Malang and some religious congregations (Monfortans, Passionists, Vincentians and Carmelites). At present, there are 370 students attending the courses. The Bishop of the Diocese, like the one of Semarang, welcomes new religious congregations, but only for study purposes.   

• Kupang: Diocesan Philosophical and Theological Seminary

The Theological School is attended by seminarians coming from the dioceses of West Timor and other islands, and some religious congregations, namely,  Carmelites, Redemptorists and Claretians. The students number about 350.

The diocese of Kupang is open to the entry of new congregations both for study purposes and pastoral ministry. It was not possible to meet the Bishop because he was out of town.

• Maumere: SVD Seminary for Philosophy and Theology  
  

The SVD Seminary in Maumere is well-known for being the biggest school of Theology in Indonesia with around 700 students and seminarians. Among them there are 350 SVD scholastics, 150 from several dioceses and the rest coming from religious congregations: Carmelites, Scalabrinians, Rogationists, Vocationists. There are about 50 professors of whom 30 are SVD priests.

Because of the presence of this big Theological Seminary, many new congregations of men and women have arrived here in the last ten years.  In fact, in the diocese of Maumere there are now 27 female and seven male congregations.

The visit to the newly appointed Bishop, Mgrs. Kherubim Pereira, SVD was very friendly and fraternal. He is open and willing to welcome our presence in his diocese with a formation house and for pastoral work among the sick and the health care workers.

• Dili, East Timor

The visit to Dili, the capital city of East Timor, was mainly motivated by the desire to study the possibility of extending the visa for foreigners living in Indonesia. East Timor is the nearest foreign country to Indonesia and the cheapest to reach. The small country with more than 900 thousand people gained its independence in 1999. Dili can be reached from Kupang in 11 hours by mini-bus or by plane in two hours from Denpasar, Bali.  

The poverty in the country is quite visible especially among the 70 thousand refugees who are still living in tents. There is lack of structures like schools, hospitals, supermarkets, roads and others facilities. The Catholics compose the majority of the population with two dioceses: Dili and Baucao.   In Dili alone there are 25 female and seven male congregations.

The meeting with the Bishop, Alberto Ricardo Da Silva, was very friendly, too.  He is very open and willing to welcome new congregations. Our Order with its charism for health care is very welcome  in the diocese.   

Significant observations about the Indonesian Catholic Church

Increasing number of vocations

Indonesia seems to be at present a “promise land” for religious and priestly vocations. The most “fertile lands” are the islands of Flores, Timor and Java. In Flores 80% of the population is catholic and from there comes the biggest number of vocations. The candidates are serious, committed and interested in religious and missionary life. In fact, hundreds of Indonesian sisters and priests have been working as missionaries in the different parts of the world.

Arrival of new congregations

In the last 15-20 years, many religious congregations both women and men have arrived in the country and are committed seriously to the promotion of vocations. Among the dioceses,Ruteng has the most number of religious congregations with 40 female and ten male congregations.  Maumere follows with 27  female and seven male congregations.  A good number of congregations have been also established in Kupang, island of Timor, Jogjakarta and Malang in the island of Java, which is the most populated and industrialized island of Indonesia.

Policies of the Local Church on religious vocations

Because of the arrival of so many foreign congregations, the Bishops of Flores and Timor thought to come out with some guidelines regarding the promotion of vocations in the country.

In fact, in a circular letter they invited all the new religious congregations to establish, first, a community in the country and to offer in loco basic spiritual and religious formation to their candidates before sending them to other countries for advanced formation and studies. This policy did not discourage at all the foreign superiors who started to open immediately new communities especially in Flores.

Fraternal hospitality among religious

It is admirable how religious are helping one another. Religious communities are very much willing to assist newcomer congregations.  They extend hospitable accommodations to them, give them advice and encouragement in their own work of vocation promotion. The spirit of the first Christian communities that  helped one another and shared even their goods is very alive. It is nice also to experience  their optimism and missionary enthusiasm, which are positive signs of the vitality of the Indonesian Church.

What about the Camillians in Indonesia?

Our first contact with Indonesia was eight years ago when a vocation promotion campaign was organized with the help of some religious friends, particularly Fr. Andreas Mua, SVD, the spiritual director of the big SVD Seminary in Ledalero, Maumere, Flores.  

With his help the first group of seven young people arrived in Manila on May 05, 2000. On April 07, 2001, another group of five joined them.

At first, they took English courses while staying in a rented house in Marikina. Then they joined the Filipino seminarians for philosophy in Marikina. After the Novitiate, they moved to the scholasticate in Quezon City and began their theological studies. At present,five of them have completed theology and anotherone will end it, hopefully, next year.

We are really grateful to God and to the Philippine Province, which cared so much and so well for these first young Indonesian Camillians. Certainly, the plan to build a brighter future and to establish a Camillian presence in their big country is also their great dream and desire.

During the recent visit, it was stimulating to know that many new congregations, who arrived in the last 10 years, like the Scalabrinians, Rogationists, Vocationists, Servants of Mary and the many religious sisters have already established their communities with numerous candidates. I believe that, even for us, the time has arrived to do something in a more concrete way.