Bishop from volcano area: ‘Lewotobi was a symbol of harmony, now solidarity is needed’

From the island of Flores, where 10 people lost their lives in the November 3 eruption and thousands more are displaced by the continuing phenomena, the message of Msgr Kopong Kung: ‘It is a marvellous mountain formed by a pair of two peaks that the local people call “the husband” and “the wife”. The devastation is serious, we are deeply saddened'. Catholic communities throughout Indonesia are mobilising and raising funds.

Jakarta (AsiaNews) - The situation on the island of Flores, hit last Sunday by the eruption of the volcano of Mount Lewotobi, which caused the death of 10 people, remains very serious. The eruption is still ongoingfand has forced thousands of people to leave their homes. Catholic communities across the country have mobilised in solidarity. "Right now we are focused on providing the essentials to at least 1,000 survivors, ’ Eko Sugiyanto of Caritas Indonesia, who in just a few days has already collected more than 1 billion Rupees (about 60,000 euro ed.),tells AsiaNews. To date, at least 4,000 people are still seeking shelter, explaining that a rebuilding programme is planned after another wave of ash is completely over. We publish below the appeal for solidarity addressed to the Catholics of Indonesia by the Bishop of Larantuka - the local diocese - in which he tells the unique story of Mount Lewotobi.

My name is Fransiskus Kopong Kung, I am the Bishop of the Diocese of Larantuka, on the island of Flores in Indonesia. I want to share a short story and my reflection on the eruption of the volcanic mountain Lewotobi, which is located in our diocese. And make an appeal to help the people who are suffering and have been affected by this eruption.

Lewotobi, a wonderful mountain

Located in the eastern part of the island of Flores, Lewotobi is a wonderful mountain. It holds a very profound and meaningful message and values for our lives. In fact, this volcanic mountain is formed by twin peaks, as if they were husband and wife.

The local people call this couple ‘laki-laki’ (man/husband) and ‘perempuan’ (woman/wife). This is very interesting: they have the local wisdom to treat this mountain as human beings, as husband and wife, living together in harmony in their home.

At certain special moments, they bring offerings to this mountain couple. This tells us how important it is to live in harmony with God, with ancestors, with neighbours and all human beings, with nature and all creatures.

This pair of mountains is symbolic of human life, of man and woman, husband and wife, family and home. Living together in harmony, in brotherhood and fraternity, as one family at peace with all, is a necessity. This requires building good relationships with God, with ancestors, with all human beings, with nature and with all creatures. Disobedience or actions contrary to harmony, according to the most ancient beliefs of these peoples, will bring disasters, problems, suffering... And when this happens, a reconciliation ceremony is required according to their ‘adat’ (customs and traditions).

The eruption of 3 November

On 3 November at 11.45 p.m., this mountain couple - especially the ‘husband’ - erupted, bringing a big explosion with hot and glowing stones from the mountain, which caused great disasters and suffering. A number of loved ones, families, brothers and sisters, died.

According to data provided by Caritas Larantuka, ten people died, including a religious sister Sr Nikolin Pajo, Mother Superior of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit house in Hokeng. She died locked in her room and burnt by a large glowing stone thrown from the mountain. No one was able to help her out of her room: it was very sad. Many houses, school buildings, the Hokeng Nunnery, the San Domingo Minor Seminary building, the Retreat House, the student dormitory and many other structures were burnt and destroyed by this eruption.

We are truly saddened. We are deeply saddened.

What can we do under these conditions and in this situation? There are many people who are suffering because of this eruption. They need help, many families have lost their loved ones, their houses are burnt and devastated. They left their home and their village and went to another place to save their lives. The Hokeng Minor Seminary building burnt down and has to be rebuilt again. In the villages around the mountain, there are more than 2,600 houses to be built. Under these conditions and in this situation the needs are many.

We want to ask and touch your hearts to help. We express our solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters at the site of the disaster caused by the eruption of the Lewotobi volcanic mountain in Larantuka, East Flores, Indonesia. We are called to help them.

* Bishop of Larantuka

(co-workers Nirmala Carvalho and Mathias Hariyadi)