The Jesuits in Timor-Leste have given thanks to Australian Jesuit Fr Mark Raper for his support of the country over the past 43 years.
Fr Mark Raper was Superior of the Jesuits in Timor-Leste from 2012 to 2017, but his association with Timor-Leste goes back to the 1970s when he was stationed there supporting people displaced by conflict.
He is currently the Superior of the Jesuits in Myanmar, but returned to the country in early July following the priestly ordination of Albino Ribeiro Gonçalves SJ.
At the end of Fr Gonçalves’ Mass of Thanksgiving, the Jesuits in Timor-Leste held a thanksgiving ceremony for Fr Raper.
He was invested in the traditional garb of an Asuwain (Tetum), symbolising that he has the status of a warrior, chief of village, local king (also known as liurai) and traditional religious/cultural leader (or ian nain).