By Fr. William Matthews, SDB

EAO, 19 April 2025 -- Dear Confreres and members of the EAO Salesian Family,

A blessed Easter to you, your communities, and families. I pray that the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep, bless you with the graces you need and to your loved ones.

After being nominated by the Delegates of the East Asia & Oceania Region and voted by a large number of the Delegates of General Chapter 29 who gathered in Turin, Italy, I accepted the invitation from the newly elected Rector Major Fr Fabio Attard with faith and humility to be the Regional of East Asia & Oceania on Saturday 29th March. It was not the easiest obedience I have taken in my life so far. Here I am, to serve the Congregation, to you and the young.

Right after my acceptance, I was asked to take part in the General Chapter 29 in Turin, together with the newly elected General Council.

First and foremost, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to Fr Joseph Nguyen Thinh Phuoc, my predecessor, who served as the Regional of our EAO Region in the past five years for his dedication, humility and service. I hope and pray that he will have some well-deserved rest before venturing into a new ministry back in Vietnam.

Personally, I first came in contact with Salesians at my home parish in Mandalay in Burma [Myanmar]. After completing high school, I entered the Salesian seminary in Burma. Yet, this didn’t last long. I migrated to Australia with my family in 1994 and entered the Salesian Novitiate in Melbourne in January 1996. Following a successful completion of philosophy and theology in Melbourne, I was ordained a priest in Perth, my hometown in Western Australia, in 2005. As a Salesian, I have served mostly in high schools in Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. I was a Provincial Delegate for Social Communications for nine years before being appointed to serve as the Provincial of Australia-Pacific province in 2018-2023.

Currently in Sydney, at my Salesian community for Easter celebrations and to finalize a few matters before moving back to Rome in May 2025 to continue serving as your Regional. I will be at Sacro Cuore at least from May to July for General Council meetings, and a few extra weeks to master the Italian language.

Hopefully, from September 2025, I plan to begin visitations across the Region to get to know you and to work with you. Please pray for me as I also pledge my prayerful accompaniment to you.

Finally, allow me to share two points from the General Chapter. First, personal conversion in Jesus Christ, to be his authentic followers, is extremely important for all of us. Our life and mission must always be centered on Jesus Christ. Second, we are also to know the real Don Bosco, not just to love him, in carrying out the salvation of young people, especially those in need. We must know and imitate Don Bosco in following Jesus Christ.

Dear friends, may this Easter season be a time of conversion in following the risen Christ in the ways of St John Bosco for the good of the young.

Have a blessed Easter!

Fr William Matthews SDB
Regional Councillor
East Asia & Oceania

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