Conventual Franciscans Ordain Three New Priests in West Timor, Mark 25 Years of Mission in Eastern Indonesia
The Conventual Franciscan Order (OFMConv) of Indonesia ordained three new priests in a solemn Eucharistic celebration held in Sasi, a small town in West Timor, marking the 25th anniversary of the Order’s missionary presence in eastern Indonesia.
The ordination Mass was presided over by Bishop Dominikus Saku of Atambua at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Sasi, drawing hundreds of faithful, religious men and women, clergy, and local government officials.
The newly ordained priests are:
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Fr. Joseph Agung Bathara Sembiring, OFMConv, assigned to pastoral ministry at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Tanjung Morawa, Archdiocese of Medan, North Sumatra;
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Fr. Nikolaus Rufinus Nahampun, OFMConv, appointed formator at the St. Bonaventure OFMConv Scholasticate, Sinaksak, Pematangsiantar, North Sumatra;
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Fr. Mauritz Dicki Nubatonis, OFMConv, sent as a missionary to Uzbekistan.
A Jubilee Celebration Rooted in Mission
According to Fr. Fictorium Natanael Ginting, OFMConv, the choice of Sasi as the venue carried deep symbolic meaning.
“The Conventual Franciscan Order of the Immaculate Conception Province of Indonesia deliberately chose Sasi for this ordination for two important reasons,” Fr. Ginting explained. “First, to commemorate 25 years of our mission in eastern Indonesia; and second, to reaffirm our commitment to missionary service, especially in West Timor, Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), and particularly in Sasi, Kefamenanu.”
The Conventual Franciscan mission in Sasi began 25 years ago through the pioneering efforts of Fr. Antonio Razzoli, OFMConv, an Italian missionary, and Fr. Laurentius Sihaloho, OFMConv, an Indonesian priest from North Sumatra.
Fr. Ginting currently serves as parish priest of St. John Paul II Parish, Kampung Tengah, Pancur Batu District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra.
For the Order and the local Church, the ordination was a moment of profound faith significance, symbolizing the firm establishment of the Conventual Franciscans’ mission in eastern Indonesia after a quarter-century of service.
A Church Built from Faith and Stone
The Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Sasi stands as a visible sign of faith rooted in local culture. Constructed from natural stone and massive wooden beams, the church blends harmoniously with the rural Timorese landscape.
Fr. Antonio Razzoli, OFMConv—an uncle of Italian Olympic gold medalist Giuliano Razzoli—successfully secured funding for the design and construction of the church, creating a lasting symbol of faith in a remote village far from urban centers.
A Celebration for the Whole Church
The ordination was warmly received by the local community. Joy and gratitude filled the church and its surroundings as the faithful accompanied the newly ordained priests in prayer.
“This is not only a spiritual celebration for the Conventual Franciscans of Indonesia, but also for the entire local Church of the Diocese of Atambua,” said a senior official of North Central Timor Regency, speaking to local media.
He expressed hope that the new priests would remain faithful to their vocation, serve with humility, and become shepherds who bring light and hope wherever they are sent.
