Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dili (Fides Service) - The government has deployed security forces on streets and around major public buildings, as unrest grows and demonstrators refuse to stop the protest. The battle between the government and the people of East Timor over the question of religious instruction in schools could lead to violence, local Church sources told Fides. In February the government passed a bill making religious instruction no longer compulsory. The people disagree and have staged two weeks of protest. At least 10,000 people are on the streets of the capital and there is some concern as they refuse to stop the protest.
The people of East Timor, evangelised under Portuguese colonialists, are 96% Catholic. Peaceful demonstrations began in mid April when the local Church authorities criticised the government move to make religious instruction optional. The media and the Bishops urged to people to ask for the measure to be revoked but Muslim Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri took no notice and the demonstrations, which involved priests and religious, have increased in momentum.
Representatives of the government and the Church met to settle the matter but failed come to an agreement and the talks were interrupted. For its part the local Church suggested that religious instruction should remain as a compulsory subject on the school curriculum but that it should include the basics of Protestant Christianity and also Islam to meet the needs of the country’s religious minorities.
There are fears that the protest may explode in violence and also give vent to widespread malcontent over persisting poverty and unemployment. Observers also say Opposition groups backed by pro-Indonesia militia could take advantage of the situation to destabilise the young republic which voted for independence from Indonesia in 1999. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/05/2005 Righe: 31 Parole: 344)
