The Carmelite Order in Indonesia has officially announced the establishment of a new province within its religious jurisdiction — the Eastern Indonesian Province of the Carmelite Order — marking a significant milestone in the Order’s century-long mission in the country.
The announcement, made on March 25, 2025, coinciding with the Feast of the Annunciation, was formally declared by the Indonesian Province of the Carmelite Order and affirmed by a decree from Fr. Miceal O’Neil O.Carm, Prior General of the Carmelite Order in Rome.
The new province is based on Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province — a region locally known as “Flower Island” — and will serve the ecclesiastical territories of Makassar (South Sulawesi), Ende and Kupang (NTT Province), and Merauke (South Papua).
It has been named in honor of Saint Titus Brandsma, a Dutch Carmelite priest and martyr known for his resistance to Nazi ideology and his commitment to truth and justice.
The newly appointed Prior Provincial is Fr. Marselinus Barus O.Carm, who will lead the new province alongside four councilors: Fr. Dominikus Dinong da Gomez O.Carm, Fr. Ferdinandus Tay O.Carm, Fr. Aloysius Roja O.Carm, and Fr. Innosensius Inno O.Carm.
They will oversee the new province’s pastoral work, community formation, and preparation for its first Provincial Chapter scheduled for 2026.
“As Eastern Indonesian Carmelites, we are very happy with the establishment of this new province, considering the vast territory of Indonesia,” Fr. Marselinus said in a statement released by the Carmelite Order. “With this new province, we hope that the Carmelites’ mission in Eastern Indonesia will continue to grow.”
Fr. Marselinus also emphasized the importance of fostering fraternity and collaboration with both the parent Indonesian province and other Carmelite provinces around the world.
The formation of the Eastern Indonesian Province followed a 25-year process of discernment, preparation, and consultation.
The groundwork began in 2009 when the Carmelite Order’s Indonesian Provincial Chapter first resolved to explore the feasibility of a new ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
The mission in Flores itself dates back to October 2, 1969, when the Indonesian Carmelites took over pastoral duties in Mauloo at the invitation of Archbishop Gabriel Wilhelmus Manek SVD of Ende.
Since then, the region has grown into a vital part of the Carmelite presence, with formation houses established to serve vocations to the priesthood.
Significant milestones in the journey toward the new province include:
- 1966: Initial invitation to Flores by Archbishop Manek.
- 2006: Recognition as the Eastern Indonesian Provincial Commissariat.
- 2015: Formation of statutes that would guide the future province.
- 2022: Provincial Chapter resolution to finalize and submit elevation requirements.
- October 1, 2024: Approval of the new province by the Carmelite General Council in Rome.
- March 25, 2025: Official decree of establishment issued.
In his message, Fr. FX Harawan Adji O.Carm, Prior Provincial of the Indonesian Carmelite Province, expressed gratitude for the new development, calling it a shared joy for the Carmelite community and inviting the faithful to pray for the growth and mission of the newly established province.
