Fr. Max Manu, SVD

 

 

Divine Word seminarians and faculty members from St. Paul Seminary in Ledalero, Indonesia, have worked at the Walisanga Boarding School, a high school for Muslim children, since 1997.

 

Although Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim nation, Christians are the majority on the island of Flores. In fact, the eastern portion of the island is more than ninety percent Catholic. 

 

Walisanga was founded in 1989 by Mr. H. Mahmud to serve Muslim children between the ages of 12 and 18 on the island of Flores. Since the number of Muslims on Flores had been on the rise, Mr. Mahmud felt there was a need for a school where Muslim children, especially those from poor families, could receive religious instruction and a quality education. Mr. Mahmud, who was a participant in a Catholic leadership course, was also committed to promoting dialogue and interaction with other religions, especially Catholics. 

 

Mr. Mahmud’s mission to promote interreligious harmony was a perfect match for the Divine Word community at St. Paul Seminary in Ledalero. The first two seminarians, Augustine Naba, SVD and Leonard Gade, SVD, moved to Walisanga in 1997 to serve as mentors and teachers. Other seminarians who followed them have taught English, citizenship, and sociology. They have also organized sports programs and served as mentors in the boarding house. Faculty members from St. Paul Seminary have taught at Walisanga. Most recently, Fr. Philip Tule, SVD, the former rector of St. Paul’s who earned his doctoral degree in Islamic studies, taught Islamic philosophy. Fr. Alex Ganggu, SVD, has lectured in sociology.

 

Some conservative Muslims strongly opposed the interaction between Christians and Muslims and criticized Mr. Mahmud. He was undeterred and insisted that Islamic teaching included pluralism and respect for different faiths. 

 

The involvement of Divine Word Missionaries at Walisanga has furthered collaboration between Muslims and Catholics. Our missionaries have become involved in an island-wide program of positive interaction between Muslim and Christian youth. According to the Indonesian Leaders Conference of Ende, interfaith association provides young people of good will the opportunity to improve society and to express themselves in an atmosphere of harmony.

 

One of the outgrowths of this collaboration is the willingness of Christian youth to help staff major Muslim events. Likewise, during Christian celebrations, Muslim youth help to make those celebrations successful. Archbishop Vincent Sensi of Ende praised this kind of collaboration as an excellent model worthy of imitation by others, not only youth.

 

The Divine Word seminarians have benefited greatly from the program at Walisanga. They feel welcomed and appreciated by the staff and students, and they have learned a great deal about their Muslim brothers and sisters. The daily and real dialogue between Muslims and Catholics reinforces what the seminarians are learning in their graduate theology classes at St. Paul’s and it strengthens their Catholic faith. Because of this experience of interfaith dialogue and cooperation, these young seminarians will be more effective missionaries.