Two Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo on a mission to Timor Leste
The missionaries will carry out their pastoral work in Manulete, an inaccessible mountainous area. Amused, they told the local bishop that they were not ready to go to such a remote area, but that “Local hospitality and generosity have strongly motivated us to serve them.”
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Two Indonesian nuns have been sent on mission to a remote mountainous part of the Archdiocese of Dili, Timor Leste (East Timor).
This pastoral initiative is the work of the Sisters of Charity of St Charles Borromeo (CB), who have always been committed to developing new outreach opportunities for the Church.
“Our Indonesian CB sisters are called to pay more attention to serve others in the most neglected areas; not only in Indonesia but also overseas,” said Sister Yustiana Wiwiek Iswanti, head of the Indonesian province of the Sisters of Charity of St Charles Borromeo, speaking to AsiaNews.
“Today, the CB congregation officially sent two Indonesian nuns to serve others in Manulete station, a remote mountainous area in Hatolia parish, Archdiocese of Dili.”
Sisters Seli Eno and Edelberte, the two new missionaries in Timor Leste, are respectively from Nusa Tenggara and Java, Indonesia.
“Both are expected to start their pastoral work in this area where at least 7,500 Timorese live and earn a living from agriculture," Sister Yustiana added.
The area is really difficult to reach and powerful 4x4 WD SUVs are needed to travel the distance.
“In any case we are very pleased and feel honoured to receive a warm welcome from local Timorese. They are so generous towards us,” Sister Yustiana explained after driving to East Timor from the Indonesian side of the island of Timor.
"As stipulated by the 2017 chapter, the main reason for this new mission is the need for our congregation to meet the new challenges of today's society.”
For Sister Iswanti, “This means that we are now called to pay more attention to remote areas across Indonesia and our neighbour, Timor Leste.”
Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva of Dili welcomed the initiative.
He asked the Sisters if they are happy with the mission in such an inaccessible area like Manulete. “No way!” said Sisters Seli Eno and Edelberte, amused.
“But we are spiritually ready to carry out our new mission in that remote area,” they explained. “Local hospitality and generosity have strongly motivated us to serve them.”
Timor Leste is just one of the places served by the Sisters of Charity, who are also present in remote areas of Indonesia.
“Our congregation faces many challenges today,” said Sister Iswati. “We are called to pursue pastoral outreach in a digital world for the whole of creation and for the development of communities.”
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30/11/2023 16:18
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