Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jakarta (Agenzia Fides) - It was not without pain that East Timor gained independence from Indonesia with a referendum in 1999. The decision for independence freely expressed by the people of Timor was followed by pro-Indonesian militia violence and destruction and a series of casualties and refugees who fled over the border fearing revenge. Eight years on, while East Timor with the help of the United Nations walks swiftly towards full social, civil and political reconstruction as a nation, Christian minority communities in Indonesia want to rebuild relations with East Timor where the Christianity is the principal religion, in fact the population of East Timor is 90% Catholic.
In this picture, the Catholics of St. John Bosco in Jakarta organised a pilgrimage to Dili, the capital of East Timor. The group was composed mainly of lay people close to the Salesian charisma and purpose of the visit was to retrace and discover the development of the Salesian presence in East Timor. To do this, we are informed by ANS news agency, the pilgrims accompanied by Indonesian priest Fr Boedi Soerjonto, visited the 8 houses of Salesian Fathers and the 6 houses of the Daughters of Mary Ausiliatrix present in East Timor. During their stay on the little island the Indonesian pilgrims distributed aid to the local orphans and participated on 20 October in the Salesian parish at Los Palos, at the ordination of 4 Salesians of East Timor.
This is other religious realities in Indonesia (like those of the Franciscans) are working to rebuild the bond between Indonesia and East Timor, under the banner of reconciliation and forgiveness, starting from the life of the people, far from the region of politics. In this direction the Catholic Church, present in both nations, can play a leading role encouraging relations among the respective Catholic communities, twinning among parishes, groups and associations, pilgrimages, reciprocal visits and sharing of experience. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/10/2007 righe 26 parole 261)
