On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, the KOPTARI plenary session entered its second day. The morning began with a Mass celebrated by Mgr. Benedictus Estepanus Rolly Untu, MSC, accompanied by Fr. Petrus Sumargo, MSF, and Fr. Agung Riyanto, OSC. In his homily, Fr. Margo reminded everyone to remain faithful to our respective vocations as religious and not fall into the trap of pastoral interests or hobbies. After the Mass, the session continued with breakfast until 08:15.
Before starting the first session this morning, Mgr. Benedictus Estepanus Rolly Untu, MSC, as the liaison bishop between KWI and KOPTARI, gave an orientation on the overarching theme of the KOPTARI session. During this time, the bishop shared his hopes for the religious to remain aware of their calling and always stay in Christ and the Church. This is in line with what Jesus entrusted to His disciples and is relevant for all of us: "Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation." Additionally, the bishop encouraged priests, sisters, brothers, and seminarians to continue advancing their love and obedience toward the Church.
The first session this morning was a joint learning session on "Church Property in Relation to the Preservation of Creation, Legality, and the Cooperation of Religious Orders and the Diocese," guided by Fr. Yohanes Wilson Bei Lena Meo, O. Carm, with moderator Fr. Agung Riyanto, OSC. Church property is an important matter to understand so that religious congregations can manage it well for the needs of the Church's missionary work. Canon law indeed regulates the management of Church property owned by religious orders, but religious congregations must also ensure that the use of these assets aligns with the charism of the congregation, the Church's legal regulations, and civil law.
In the afternoon, the agenda of the session included reports from each faction: MASII by Fr. Agung Riyanto, OSC, MABRI by Br. Y. M. Vianey Alexius, MTB, and IBSI by Sr. Elisabeth Budiarti, OP, together with Sr. Priska, ADM. After each faction reported their activities during the 2021-2024 period, the accountability report of the KOPTARI Board for the 2021-2024 term was presented by Fr. Selestinus Manulu, OFMCap, followed by the financial report by Sr. Rina Rosalina, MC. This session also introduced the Kopi Manis team, which has been working alongside young religious and youth ministry groups, presented by Sr. Emilia, SFS, the chairperson of Kopi Manis.
After dinner, the agenda of the session was the election of the board members for each faction. Each faction gathered at the designated places, and the election was conducted online using Google Forms. Elected as the chairperson of MASII was Fr. Laurentius Fol Piluit, CDD; the chairperson of IBSI was Sr. Priska, ADM; and the chairperson of MABRI was Br. Y. M. Vianey Alexius, MTB. Congratulations to the newly elected chairpersons of each faction.
(Sr. Yosefina MC – KOPTARI Plenary Session Publication Team)
