Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
MI
Maumere (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church continues to flourish on the island of Flores. Two new Camillian (MI) priests and three new deacons were ordained on Sunday 29 January 2022 in the chapel of the Camillian Seminary in Nita, Diocese of Maumere.
"It was a three and a half hour ceremony that was experienced with great emotion, especially by the two new priests and their parents and relatives," Father Luigi Galvani (MI) told Fides.
The missionary, who has been in Indonesia for more than a decade, expressed great satisfaction in confirming the continued growth of vocations in the area in which he was a pioneer. "After about thirteen years of presence in Indonesia," he wrote, "the Camillians now count eight local priests, four deacons, twenty-four professed, four novices and fifty-four seminarians studying philosophy, including four Pakistanis and one from East Timor".
In addition to the formation of seminarians, the Camillians also devote themselves to social and charitable activities for children from poor families and dozens of mentally ill people for whom there is no medical care on the island (see Fides, 15/3/2019). In addition, there is the pastoral service in some hospitals and the weekly visits to the sick in the parishes.
Father Galvani also concluded by emphasizing that today Camillians are ready to proclaim the Gospel in other countries. "The Lord truly performs His extraordinary miracles", he said. After a few years of presence, the Camillians can now send their missionaries to other countries in the world. Two priests will be sent as mission chaplains to Australia and the Philippines, respectively. (LG) (Agenzia Fides, 8/2/2023)
