Fransiskus Xaverius Gambur (1989-2024)
Born in Anam-Manggara (Indonesia)
on February 8, 1989
Religious vows on February 2, 2024
Ordained priest on July 27, 2024
Missionary in Congo-Kinshasa
Died in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
on October 10, 2024, at the age of 35
Called Safrin by all confreres since Sang Tunas Pondok Bambu in Jakarta; he was one year my senior. Openness and simplicity are the two characteristics that strike us in him every time we meet him. He was active in manual labor and sport and courageous in apostolic life. He had openly expressed that he could not flourish too well in his studies, but he gave himself fully to the other aspects of religious life. We all agree that Safrin was sociable and always available to help and work with others.
After completing his theological training in Cameroon in 2020, he was initially destined for Belgium for the mission. But, for several reasons and after his reflection, during COVID's confinement in Indonesia, he received his new mission destination in the province of Kinshasa. Angelinus Fianto and I, who were destined for KIN, heard the news with joy: we said to each other, "Very good: now we are three Indonesian pioneers for the mission to KIN province," and he jokingly replied, "Bravo CICM, now we are together from the same promotion to continue the mission here in Congo."
He hasn't changed his good qualities: even though he arrived a little later than us, after a few visits to get to know and understand the mission in Kinshasa, he was asked to go to a CICM parish to learn Lingala. With Father Carlos Rommel in Bumba, he began learning Lingala with a teacher and his close friends. We know that this parish is not the ideal place to learn Lingala. But we've heard that thanks to Safrin's efforts and the help of others, from the parish priest to all those of goodwill, he was able to learn and understand this new language well. Moreover, the parishioners loved Safrin and his closeness to young people, children, and the little ones (the poor). His departure left a lasting impression on the parishioners, even though he had only lived there for a few months.
After learning the Lingala language, he was appointed as one of the persons in charge of the well-known pastoral ministry of "Bondeko" with our confrere bishop Mgr. Philippe Nkiere. Safrin has accompanied the children in this structure and the street children with this particular pastoral care of the aforementioned structure. Safrin, who honestly and humbly gives himself to others, attracted their love and goodwill.
Unfortunately, Safrin had to change its mission. He was sent to the parish of Saint Kizito, a place known as a "hot spot." With the same zeal, he set off. After a few weeks, he integrated well into the parish's pastoral groups, especially with the youth and some adult prayer groups. We have seen the great love of the parishioners from his ordination as a deacon to his ordination as a priest. The parishioners worked so hard for this celebration that we could tell Safrin was well-loved and recognized as a child of the parish. After that, he left for his leave in Indonesia, where he spent time with his family, who also showed him their joy.
On October 6, 2024, he lost consciousness, and the family carried him to Siloam Hospital in Labuan Bajo. As an ordained brother, the provincial of ASIA asked me to leave to accompany the family at this difficult time. After receiving the ticket, I left for Labuan Bajo on October 10, 2024, arriving safely at noon. With the family who picked me up at the airport, we went straight to the hospital. But, as I got out of the vehicle, someone got out and, seeing me, greeted me, saying, "Safrin is no more." At the same time, the phone in my pocket vibrated, and I realized that the news had already spread. I had come not just to accompany the family but to accompany my colleague directly to his final resting place on this earth. After a while, a few colleagues also came to represent CICM, particularly the provincial of ASI. Everything went smoothly from the preparation to the burial in the family plot, just a few meters from the family home.
We spent a few days with the family, sharing their faith and encouragement. "It is truly a great ordeal to celebrate the funeral mass of our dear child, Safrin, in the same place, just after having celebrated his ordination to the priesthood with joy and thanksgiving," said many family members. On that occasion, I had the chance to share a little of my experience and admiration for Safrin, but I was also able to say: "We must not ask ourselves too many questions in the face of death; there is only silence, the pain of separation and sadness, but we must ask ourselves the question: how many good things can we know and remember about Safrin? He is, for me, the great missionary always available and brave despite his weaknesses as a man: he gave himself and finished God's mission well; let us therefore pray for him and ourselves who are still on pilgrimage."
Stevanus Pardamean Mok
