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Anton Waser Obituary, Anton Waser Has Passed Away
Anton Waser Obituary, Swiss Priest Of Divine Word Has Peacefully Passed Away
Born in Switzerland, Father Waser dedicated his life to humanitarian and spiritual service. His mission in Manggarai, Flores, was marked by an unwavering commitment to the betterment of the local population.
Education was at the forefront of Father Waser’s efforts. He established schools, ensuring that children in Manggarai had access to quality education. These institutions became not only centers of learning but also sources of hope for the youth, empowering them to shape their own futures.
Places of worship were another cornerstone of Father Waser’s mission. He worked tirelessly to construct churches and foster a sense of spiritual belonging among the Manggaraian people. These sacred spaces provided solace and unity for the community.
Infrastructure development, including the construction of roads, was a testament to Father Waser’s dedication to improving living conditions. His efforts facilitated easier access to remote areas and boosted economic opportunities for the locals.
Perhaps one of his most vital contributions was in the realm of clean water. Father Waser’s initiatives ensured a sustainable supply of pure water, significantly improving the health and well-being of the community.
His passing is deeply felt, not only by the Manggaraian people but also by the global missionary community. Father Paulus Tolo, SVD, Provincial SVD Ruteng, Flores, expressed his grief and invited all to remember the legacy of Father Waser.
Father Anton Ernst Waser’s life exemplified the transformative power of selfless dedication. He leaves behind a thriving legacy of education, spirituality, infrastructure, and clean water, all of which continue to enrich the lives of the Manggaraian people in Flores, Indonesia. His memory will forever serve as a reminder of the profound impact that one person can make on a community and the world.
Educationist Swiss missionary dies in Indonesia
https://www.ucanews.com/news/educationist-swiss-missionary-dies-in-indonesia/102540
Father Waser Ernst Anton dedicated himself to education and social development in the country for over 40 years
Father Waser Ernst Anton, who served in Indonesia from 1977, is hailed for education and social development services. (Photo supplied)
Catholics are mourning the death of a Swiss-born missionary priest who dedicated himself to education and social development in far-flung areas of Indonesia for over four decades.
Father Waser Ernst Anton, a member of the Society of Divine Word (SVD) died in Wangkung, on Flores Island in Christian-majority East Nusa Tenggara province on Sept. 7. He was 94.
The priest had suffered from lung problems and was admitted to hospital on Aug. 21 before being allowed to return home about a week ago.
Many Catholics posted on social media platforms to mourn his death and expressed their closeness to him.
Father Waser arrived in 1977 and had been mostly based in Flores.
In 1983, while serving in a parish in Ruteng Diocese, the priest founded St. Klaus Kuwu Junior and High School, a top private Catholic school. The priest had said his special attention was education for girls when the Church was more focused on building schools for male Catholic cadre, such as seminaries.
In 2002, he also founded a school in Werang, West Manggarai Regency.
The schools were handed over to Ruteng diocese in 2004 under the auspices of the Ernesto Foundation, named after him, where he served as a board member until retiring in 2020.
The priest also helped communities by building roads and clean drinking water pipelines when Indonesia was experiencing an economic crisis in the 1990s.
"In almost all of the Manggarai area, Father Waser is known as the 'drinking water priest' and 'cement sack priest.' He has built so many churches and school buildings and provided clean drinking water pipelines for residents," Ruteng diocese said in a statement.
Scalabrinian Father Ansensius Guntur, a former of student of the priest, said he was grateful to him for his education.
The priest, now serving in the Philippines, told UCA News how he almost dropped out of school as his parents could not afford the school fees.
“He was willing to pay for my school fees until I finished high school. Without him, I wouldn't be where I am today," he said.
He said that for five years he and two friends had always stayed with the priest during school holidays.
“Every morning he celebrated Mass and even before going to bed he would come to our room to make the sign of the cross on our forehead,” he said, adding that the experience of being close to a priest made him choose to be one.
Father Valerianus Paulinus Jempau, principal of St. Klaus Kuwu Senior High School, said the priest "embodied Jesus' invitation to follow Him by leaving everything behind and carrying the cross."
"How could it not be, Father Waser left Europe, his family, then built the foundation of education in Manggarai," he said.
“Even though his body is gone, his spirit is still in the heart of our school community, likewise in the hearts of the people of Ruteng diocese," he added.
Muhammad Boe, a Muslim from West Manggarai district, said he remembered how the missionary came to his village in Naga in 1995, buying teak wood for various infrastructure projects he was building.
"With the wood, he also built schools, churches, and mosques," he said.
Aleksius Jana, a teacher at St. Klaus School for 32 years said he remembers the priest's closeness to children, both at school and boarding which “made him a lovable figure.”
Benediktus Gara, a teaching staff member for 16 years, remembered him as a hard worker, disciplined, consistent with his plans and work.
His strict principles, he said, also made the priest "less able to collaborate with fellow priests" whom he considered unsuitable for him.
3. MISA PENGUBURAN JENAZAH PATER ANTON ERNEST WASER, SVD Bagian 2.
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Mgr. Vincentius Sensi Potokota,Pr (Uskup Agung Ende) bersama Pater Antor Ernst Waser SVD di Ende. Tahun 2022 (?). (Sumber photo WAG ALUMNI St. Klaus).
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