Indonesia: Makassar Seminarians Trained in Public Speaking as Witnesses of Christ

The hall of Saint Peter Claver Seminary (SPC) in Makassar, eastern Indonesia, was filled with youthful enthusiasm on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, as seminarians gathered for a soft skills training titled “Bearing Witness in the Light of Christ through Public Speaking.”

The programme was organized by Umat Peduli Seminari (Lay Community Supporting Seminarians) of the Archdiocese of Makassar (UPS KAMS) as part of its ongoing commitment to the holistic formation of future priests.

A total of 125 seminarians participated in the training. The session opened with prayer, followed by welcome remarks from Mr Julius Yunus Tedja, Coordinator of UPS KAMS, and Fr. Simon Refliandy, Rector of SPC.

In his address, Fr. Refliandy underlined that effective communication is an integral dimension of priestly formation. “The mission of the Church calls its ministers to proclaim the Gospel with clarity, courage, and charity,” he said.

Accordingly, the training aimed not only to provide technical skills in public speaking but also to nurture confidence, responsibility, and pastoral sensitivity in communicating the message of faith.

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The training featured distinguished speakers and instructors, including Prof Grace T. Pontoh, Dr Ir N. Tri Suswanto Saptadi, and Mr Jerus Tarunajaya, S.E.

Prof Pontoh opened the programme with a session on “Basic Theory of Public Speaking,” emphasizing the importance of structure, articulation, and non-verbal communication. This was followed by a session on “Building Self-Confidence,” led by Mr Tarunajaya, which encouraged seminarians to overcome fear and speak with conviction.

The practical component of the training became the highlight of the day. Divided into groups according to their academic levels, seminarians practised public speaking by reflecting on Scriptural themes such as “Being a Light to Others” (Matthew 5:16), “Speaking the Truth in Love” (Ephesians 4:15), and “Strengthening Others with Words of Comfort” (Isaiah 41:10).

Through these exercises, participants learned to communicate messages of faith in a clear, engaging, and pastoral manner.

Boosting the Morale of SPC Seminarians

Fr. Hendrik Sumbung, moderator of UPS KAMS, noted the strong enthusiasm shown by the seminarians throughout the programme. He expressed hope that the training would help students grow in confidence, develop structured and effective communication skills, and acquire a solid foundation in rhetoric and pastoral communication for their future ministry.

This public speaking training reflects the Archdiocese of Makassar’s broader commitment to forming priests who are not only spiritually grounded but also capable of communicating the Gospel in ways that are relevant and life-giving in today’s world. By learning to speak in the light of Christ, the seminarians are being prepared to become credible witnesses of faith who can inspire, strengthen, and serve the people entrusted to their care.