The Bridge Has Been Built

by, Fr. Teja Anthara, scj

On September 23, 2004, the Indonesian Province celebrated the 80 years of their presence in Indonesia. The celebration was marked by ordinations, and was a joyful gathering together of all the members of the province. We are grateful to the Dutch missionaries who came to the island of Sumatra, planting the seeds of the Kingdom of God in a land where most of the population is Moslem.

It was 80 years ago, when the missionaries from the Dutch Province were sent to open a new mission in this land. Their first task was not to make the SCJs present, but to begin building the Indonesian Church. They came under the authority of the Dutch Government, since Indonesia was its colony. When they landed they found themselves in the middle of Sumatra’s jungles, and then went through the Musi River to the city of Palembang. Their dedication, commitment, and sacrifices have borne so much fruit.

Their mission has been accomplished. The Church in Sumatra has been established. Two dioceses under the service and ministry of the SCJ Congregation continues to grow and develop. Many parishes, educational institutions, social service centers, and retreat centers have been established. The number of young SCJs has regularly been increasing. The quality of and promotion of advanced education for the sake of better ministry has become an important focus. Even the sending of Indonesian SCJs as missionaries to other countries has become a priority.

On the other hand, the number of diocesan priests has been growing and they are ready to take over the responsibilities of the local church. That is why that in the celebration of the 80th year of its presence, the Indonesian Province is trying to re-found itself and is reviewing what form of ministries it is called to commit itself to in the present day. The task of the Dutch missionaries is accomplished; now the Indonesian young generation has take over, and will continue SCJ ministry according to the needs of the modern Church.

Because of the presence of the Indian and Philippine SCJ Districts, the Indonesian Province has changed its policies, its ways of thinking, and ways of looking at itself as a Province. Since the General Administration asked Indonesian SCJs to become involved in and participate in these new missions, the Indonesian Province has taken up the challenge to act accordingly. Indonesian SCJs are no longer alone in Asia; the bridge to connect the Indonesian Province with SCJ provinces in Europe or other countries has been built. The question now is how to make this bridge useful and meaningful today.

The biggest challenge for Indonesian SCJs is how they might work together with both of these young districts and to collaborate with them in developing the spirituality and charism of the Congregation more in the context of Asia. The Indonesian Province is challenged to prepare its members to be ready to respond to the needs of these districts in many aspects. The strong demand to learn the English language as the means of communication is required. The presence of the Indian district has opened up the heart and the mind of many Indonesian SCJs and has challenged them to make a
greater response to the needs of the Congregation. It has also made them more aware that the spirit of “We, the Congregation” demands their response. The development of the Indian District challenges us to more seriously consider how we can work together as a Congregation.

We hope that the co-working we have already started in the Asia Zone will continue, and that it will become more effective in building up a close working relationship from now on. This cooperation must not be just on the level of a meeting of the superiors, or other partial and occasional activities, but it must go deeper, in a sharing of our experiences and in enriching each other.

The bridge has been built; the way to go outwards has been opened. The challenge now is how we will walk together on this bridge, and how we make this journey together pleasant and meaningful to those who are entrusted with SCJ ministry. We now have an open gateway for going to many more distant countries in Asia. May the ‘baby Indian District’ walk far away to reach out to the needs of the poorest of the poor and the most needy of people by bringing to them the spirituality and charism of the Heart of the Beloved Jesus Christ.

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