New Province in Indonesia Dedicates Church and Ordains 10 Members As Priests

On October 14, 2025, the Bishop of Maumere, Mgr. Edwaldus Martinus Sedu, dedicated the parish church of Maria Kusuma Karmel Bu Nuaria parish. Participating with the bishop were the prior provincial of Eastern Indonesia, Fr. Marselinus Barus, O. Carm., as well as the parish priest of Nuaria, Fr. Damaskus Sukutukan Belang, O. Carm., and the other concelebrating priests.

The following day, October 15, 2025, the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, 10 Carmelite deacons of the province were ordained to the priesthood.

The Eastern Indonesia Province was created on March 25, 2025, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. It was placed under the patronage of St. Titus Brandsma. It was previously part of the Province of Indonesia which was established in 1923 by the Dutch province. Members were given the option of staying in the province or joining the new entity. The new province will consist of one hundred and seventeen (117) friars of solemn profession and sixty-five (65) friars of simple profession. The area of the new province covers the ecclesial provinces of Makasar, Ende, Kupang, and Merauke in the eastern part of Indonesia.

The new province has four canonically erected houses and three formation houses. Its prior provincial is Marselinus Barus, O. Carm.