Plínio Martins retraced steps in his own and East Timor’s history when he was ordained in Dili on St Ignatius Day, July 31.
Over a thousand people took part in the celebration of the ordination of Plínio Rosário Gusmão dos Reis Martins in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili . Bishop Alberto da Silva of Dili was the presiding Bishop, assisted by Bishop Greg O’Kelly (ASL). Plínio’s mother, accompanied by her brother, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, joined the procession.
The reception after the Ordination took place the Colegio de Sao Jose where Plínio had studied before entering the Jesuits. He celebrated his first Mass with a huge congregation the following day at the San Antonio Church, Mortael.
As a school student in 1991 Plínio had attended the funeral of Sebastião Gomes who had been shot by soldiers outside the church. He walked with the procession that wound past the Colégio de São José to the Santa Cruz Cemetery. There hundreds of young people were killed in a climactic event that led eventually to East Timorese independence. Plínio himself was wounded.
Plínio was born and studied in Dili, He joined the Jesuits in 1995 and studied philosophy in Jakarta, completing his studies in Manila. He spent two years teaching in the Xavier High School in Truk, Micronesia, returning to the Colégio São José, Dili for final year’s teaching. He began his theology studies in Melbourne in 2007. He will now take up his ministry in East Timor.
By Fr Andrew Hamilton SJ
04-Aug-2010
