Kuching, Malaysia. The Claretians from the Province of Chennai have established the first community of the Congregation in Malaysia.

In a letter sent to Fr. General, the Provincial Superior, Fr. Vincent Anes, CMF, wrote that as of April 4th, Fathers Anup Hemand Lakra, CMF and R. Berchmans, CMF arrived at the Parish of Bunan in the Archdiocese of Kuching.

Geographically, the mission is located in the Sarawak region, a mountainous zone bordering Indonesia, some 40 km. from Serian.

For the time being, two Claretians will be working with two other diocesan priests attending to some 42 small communities or mission stations located in different areas of the parish, in the territory of the Bidayo tribe.

The first task of the missionaries will be to learn the national language: Bahasa Malaysian, and later that of the Bidayo tribe whom they will begin to serve. It is hoped that, in a space of five years, they will be able to take-over the administration of one of these parishes in the Archdiocese of this tribe.

Different from other regions, in this zone of Malaysia there is a strong tradition and active participation of the laity in the life and mission of the Church. (Photos)