Valdocco, 23 December 2023 -- On December 21, 2023, the Rector Major Rev. Angel Fernandez Artime, appointed Fr. Vincent Prastowo (43 yrs) as the Superior of the Vice-Province of Indonesia for the next six years (2024-2030). Fr Vincent will succeed Fr. Andrew Wong, who has served as the first Superior since 2018.
Fr Vincent joined the Salesian novitiate in 2000 (Fatumaca, Timor Leste) and made his first religious profession in 2001. After his post-novitiate and practical training in Indonesia, he was sent to Messina (Italy) for his specific formation (theological studies) and was ordained to the priesthood in 2012.
The Salesians set up the first presence in Indonesia in 1985 with a house of formation for the young Indonesian and Timorese Salesians as they belonged to one Vice-Province of ITM (Indonesia-Timor Leste). It was not until 2013 that Indonesia was erected as the Delegation. Right after five years, it became a Vice-Province in 2018, detached from the "mother" Vice-Province of Timor Leste.
As the youngest in the East-Asian Oceania Region with nine communities, the Vice-Province and the confreres are looking for more efficient ways to deepen the root of the Salesian charism in the land which is very diverse in cultures, religious adherences and economical status. We pray that the first Indonesian superior in the person of Fr. Vincent, together with all the Salesians in Indonesia, will work in synergy to make the Salesian services to be significant to the poor youth habituating in various islands of Indonesia.
