Dompok drops by Rome gathering of Malaysian clergy and religious

ROME – Over 20 religious priests, Sisters, seminarians and laity came together for the Malaysia and Singapore Students Gathering held at the Convitto International priests’ house recently. A few Indonesian priests also came.

The occasion was made merrier with the presence of the first appointed Malaysian Ambassador to the Holy See, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, his wife Diana Dompok and his secretary Clara.

Dompok had just arrived in Rome recently and is in the process of setting up the embassy office in the vicinity of the Vatican.

The gathering was an occasion for the students, both priests and religious sisters, to share some light moments together in the midst of pressure built-up for the final examination before the final semester closes.

It was also an occasion to say ‘farewell’, and to wish the few final year students well before their final examination, as welll as for the defense of their licentiate thesis before going home to Malaysia/Singapore.

A potluck lunch has always been a feature of such gatherings, where food is ‘a taste like no other’ for the various types of Malaysian delicacies prepared by the students themselves.

The next gathering, which will be held at the end of October 2016, is to welcome the new students coming to Rome for their studies. – Fr David Ho