MABRI

The existence of MABRI (Indonesian Brothers' Assembly) is already well known among the Brothers/Fraters. However, regarding its objectives, activities, and personnel, perhaps only a few understand it. Considering that what is unknown is also not appreciated, through this letter, MABRI intends to introduce itself to all Brothers/Fraters in Indonesia.

MABRI was officially founded on December 13, 1967, in Salatiga (Central Java) – although meetings, which were informative in nature, had been held since 1961 – by the leaders of 7 Congregations of Brothers/Fraters, namely:

1. The Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Aloysius (C.S.A), based in Surabaya.
2. The Congregation of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (F.S.C), based in Semarang.
3. The Congregation of the Brothers of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and Mother of God, based in Pontianak (Pati).
4. The Congregation of the Brothers of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy, based in Manado and Medan.
5. The Congregation of the Brothers of Saint Mary of Lourdes, based in Jakarta.
6. The Congregation of the Brothers of the Blessed Heart of Mary, based in Surabaya.
7. The Congregation of the Brothers of Charity, based in Purworejo.

Like any proper organization, MABRI also has a foundational charter, although it is quite brief, with the main points of the charter being:

Without questioning the structure of the assembly, direct meetings were used to exchange ideas on pressing issues at the time, such as the risks for missionaries on leave in the Netherlands, who might not be granted permission to return to Indonesia due to the issue of West Irian; the need to seek government recognition for secondary seminaries so that students could receive junior high and high school diplomas; the preparation for the establishment of a hierarchy, and so on.

At the end of the meeting, a chairman was elected to act on behalf of the participants for a term of one year. The elected chairman was Father A. Schnijder, OFM.

The following year, another meeting was held. This time, the meeting took place in Lawang on April 11-12, 1961. The topics discussed included the consequences of the establishment of a hierarchy; the publication of the Bible in Indonesian; the participation of religious superiors in the bishops' conference; and the membership of religious in political representative bodies. In the end, Father G. Kester, SJ, was elected as chairman for one year.

The topics discussed in the 1961 meeting were revisited in the following year's meeting in Girisonta on April 3-4, 1962. Other matters were also addressed, including the stance of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith on subsidies for novitiates and theology for candidates of Indonesian Orders/Congregations, and the possibility of establishing a theology faculty in Yogyakarta. In this meeting, for the second time, Father A. Schnijder, OFM, was elected chairman for a one-year term, and the following year, he was elected for the third time.

The fourth meeting was held in Girisonta on April 23, 1963. The topics discussed revolved around the following issues: the publication of spiritual books, the translation of the Bible, cooperation in priestly education, collaboration between religious congregations and dioceses, and the freedom of seminary students to choose their order/congregation.

The first four meetings were intended for the leaders of clerical orders/congregations working in Java. The number of attendees ranged from 7 to 9 people. Since the second meeting, among the participants, there was also an Indonesian superior, Father M. Sarko Dipoyudo, O.Carm.

To enhance efficient cooperation in serving the interests of the Church, thereby facilitating the achievement of each Congregation's objectives.

MABRI strives to achieve its goals by:

1. Holding discussions.
2. Implementing decisions that are mutually agreed upon.
3. Fostering good cooperation with MAWI, MASI, IBSI, and other institutions.

The members of MABRI are all the leaders of the BROTHERS/FRATERS' congregations in Indonesia, whether independent or those overseeing provinces or regions.

1. "The number of members of the MABRI management shall be at least 3 (three) people, consisting of a chairman, a secretary, and a treasurer."
2. "The management is selected through a secret ballot, for a term of 3 (three) years."
3. "The election is considered valid if supported by two-thirds or a simple majority of the total votes cast in the election meeting."
4. "Those who have the right to vote are MABRI members or those who are authorized by a mandate."
5. "If necessary, the elected management shall appoint an executive secretary and treasurer."
6. "If any member of the management ends their term as the leader of the congregation, their membership will be replaced by the new leader of the congregation."
7. "The chairman and/or secretary represent MABRI in external matters."
8. "The handover of the management is accompanied by a complete set of document archives."

1. Plenary meetings of members are held at least once a year, or at any time if deemed necessary by the management.
2. The management meets at least 2 (two) times a year.
3. The results of the Management meeting are sent to all MABRI members.
4. The meeting agenda was delivered to the members in a timely manner.
5. Binding or advisory meeting decisions are valid if they are decided by a majority of votes, namely two-thirds of the number of participants present.
6. The Board and members will be present at the plenary meeting. Those who are unable to attend must appoint a substitute with a written mandate. The substitute has full votes.
7. KWI, MASI, IBSI or experts can be invited to attend MABRI meetings.