ASIA/TIMOR EAST - In the young democracy of East Timor which faces many problems the Church can help overcome difficulties, Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva of Dili told Fides

Vatican City (Fides Service) - Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva, newly appointed Catholic Bishop of Dili, capital of East Timor is convinced that “This is the time for the laity in the Church in East Timor. They are the main agents of re-evangelisation so necessary for our country”. Dili is the capital of this new democracy born two years ago after a referendum through which the people opted for independence from Indonesia. Bishop Da Silva, appointed Bishop of Dili by Pope John Paul on 27 February and ordained a Bishop of May 2, is one of the Bishops taking part in a Seminar organised for newly appointed Bishops of mission territories by the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples being held in Rome 5-18 September.
The Bishop has the care of 558,000 Catholics assisted by 96 priests, about 340 women religious, and many catechists and other active lay persons. The Bishop is convinced that the laity are of utmost importance for the Church: “This is the time of the laity they are the main agents of evangelisation. Vatican II gave them a new dignity and a fundamental role in the Church. For Catholics in Timor the priority is formation. People are baptised, but they know very little of the faith and how to live it in the changed social, cultural and economic situation of today. Today Catholics need to be re-evangelised themselves. They must know about the Church’s position and teaching on important matters. We must print books and issue material to inform people correctly. The problems to face are many: new technology, new religious sects, pornography, corruption... we want to help the people live the faith today and to meet the challenges of the modern world not to succumb to them. In this work the laity are indispensable”.
A special area in need of evangelisation is youth: “Youth are a precious resource for the Church and for society. However today there is much frustration because there is no work and they need help with study and to start small businesses. They are in ranger of succumbing to drug abuse, crime, prostitution. But they have trust in the Church and this is encouraging for them and for us . For the formation of youth we have a special Youth Commission which organises youth pastoral activities, despite its somewhat restricted funds”.
The main problems afflicting the country include “poverty, insecurity and the need to achieve reconciliation, which is still necessary to heal the rift in society caused by tension and violence at the time of independence when the Islanders were divided into pro-Indonesia and pro-independence groups”. Citizens of East Timor who fled during violence in the struggle for independence and are still in West Timor are also pleased at the appointments. Thousands fled in September 1999 when fighting between pro-Indonesia and pro-independence supporters exploded after the referendum on secession. Many have returned but many are still in West Timor fearing acts of revenge for their support of Indonesia. Hence the need to promote national reconciliation. A special court is examining the cases of persons charged with responsibility for the massacres. People are confident that the appointment of the new Bishop will give new impulse to the process of reconciliation.
The Democratic Republic of East Timor came into being on 20 May 2002, after a period of temporary administration by the United Nations. With its 95% Catholic population, East Timor is Asia’s most Catholic country and the Church can play a major role in forming consciences. The country is presently engaged in a “national dialogue” on the themes of justice and reconciliation involving members of Parliament, social and political organisations, representatives of the various Catholic communities. The local Church has always stressed the need for “forgiveness in truth and justice” as a basis for strengthening national unity.
Besides providing pastoral and spiritual assistance for the 665,000 Catholics the local Church also runs healthcare and social service centres and co-ordinates farm development programmes and co-operatives. In fact the challenge for this young nation is rebuilding infrastructures, schools, hospitals and an efficient bureaucratic system for the different sectors of public life.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2004 lines 51 word 542)