Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dili (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Bishops of East Timor have congratulated and encouraged the new Premier Josè Ramos Horta who was sworn in on July 10 in the capital Dili. The Bishops urged the prime minister to make national reconciliation a government priority. For months East Timor has been the scene of unrest and disorder bordering on civil war.
Bishop Ricardo da Silva of Dili, said the appointment “could be a first step towards solving the national crisis”, an opinion shared by the other Bishop of East Timor, Bishop Basilio Do Nascimento of Baucau. The Bishops assured the Premier of full cooperation on the part of the local Church and said they hoped East Timor would soon be again on the path to social harmony and economic growth.
The new prime minister Jose Ramos-Horta, Nobel Peace Prize 1996, was appointed by the nation’s president Xanana Gusmao. He took a solemn oath in front of the President, the UN envoy and the international peacekeeping force led by the Australian contingent.
In his first address to the nation Ramos-Horta promised more funds for the economic and social development of the people and said he would give special attention to the problem of security. The new Premier said the Catholic Church is the only “solid institution which had absorbed the Island’s cultural tissue. She is to be respected and involved again in dialogue with our young state, she is helping to find the way out of this crisis, healing the wounds, helping the people to progress in every area: social, educational, cultural, spiritual and moral”. For this reason, he continued “this government calls on the Catholic Church to assume a greater role in education and human development of our people and in the fight against poverty”.
The Prime Minister addressing the Bishops said he hoped Dili would soon have a Nuntiature announcing his intention to appoint an ambassador to the Holy See. In conclusion, referring to the disorder and evacuation of the past months, he recalled “the important role played by communities of religious men and women who sheltered thousands of brothers and sisters. These children of the Church once again showed solidarity putting their humanity at the service of those in need ”.
The appointment of Ramos-Horta was welcomed by the international community in the hope that he can put at end to the difficult situation in East Timor, after the former premier Mari Alkatiri dismissed 600 members of the army on strike to protest against ethnic discrimination. To calm the ensuing clashes and evacuation of thousands of people an international peace force led by Australia was dispatched to the Island. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/7/2006 righe 37 parole 371)
