Father Charles Patrick Edward Burrows, OMI, widely known as Father Carolus, received the Special Achievement Svarna Bhumi Award 2026 in recognition of more than five decades of service to local communities, agricultural development, and food security in Cilacap Regency, Central Java.
The award was presented during the Svarna Bhumi Award 2026 ceremony in Jakarta on Aug. 21. The event recognized individuals for contributions to food security, agriculture, and community empowerment.
Recognition for Decades of Service
The Svarna Bhumi Award is not the first recognition Father Carolus has received for his humanitarian work.
In 2012, he received the Maarif Award for his dedication to the people of Kampung Laut. His work was recognized for contributions to health care, education, infrastructure development and community empowerment.
Community Development in Kampung Laut
Father Carolus, an Irish-born Catholic priest, began his ministry in Kampung Laut, Cilacap, in 1973.
At the time, the area around the Citanduy River delta and Segara Anakan, or Anakan Waters, faced limited access to health care, education, and infrastructure, as well as widespread poverty.
He began by helping residents suffering from various illnesses, including serious eye infections. His work later expanded to sanitation, roads, bridges, clean-water facilities, education, and agricultural development.
He also helped local communities transform swampy and sediment-filled areas into agricultural land. Around 1,500 hectares of rice fields were eventually developed in Kampung Laut, providing a new source of livelihood for local families.
The agricultural development was carried out with the local community as part of efforts to strengthen food security and create new sources of income.
“I Am Only a Beggar”
Father Carolus has often described his role in the work simply by saying, “I am only a beggar.”
His work has involved seeking support from donors and connecting available resources with communities in need.
Through the Bina Sejahtera Social Foundation, or YSBS, the work expanded into education, health care, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.
YSBS has supported the development of five kindergartens, two elementary schools, eight junior high schools, three senior high schools, and a maritime academy. The foundation has also been involved in developing roads, bridges, embankments and clean-water facilities.
Father Carolus has also emphasized education as a way of addressing poverty.
“Education liberates people from poverty and ignorance,” he has said.
Known as “Kiai Carolus”
Father Carolus’ ministry has also developed among the predominantly Muslim population of Kampung Laut.
His presence as a Catholic priest was initially viewed with suspicion by some residents who feared that his activities were part of an effort to convert people to Christianity.
He continued serving residents regardless of their religious background and eventually became known locally by the respectful nickname “Kiai Carolus.”
Ministry at Nusakambangan Prison
Father Carolus’ ministry has extended beyond Kampung Laut to correctional facilities on Nusakambangan Island, where he has provided pastoral care to inmates, including prisoners facing the death penalty.
He regularly celebrated Mass and provided spiritual accompaniment to inmates, including those awaiting execution.
Father Carolus is known for opposing the death penalty and advocating pastoral accompaniment and respect for the dignity of people sentenced to death.
In January 2015, following the execution of Brazilian national Marco Archer Cardoso Moreira, Father Carolus expressed concern about the treatment of death-row prisoners and the need for appropriate pastoral accompaniment during their final moments.
More than five decades after Father Carolus arrived in Kampung Laut, his work has included agricultural development, schools, roads, bridges, clean-water facilities and other initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for local communities.
He has credited farmers, teachers, workers, volunteers, community members and donors with taking part in the long-term development of Kampung Laut.
Father Carolus continues to describe his role simply as someone whose task is to “beg” and knock on the doors of those willing to help.
