Vatican City (Fides Service) - "At the beginning of the third millennium, the family of nations celebrated the birth of the Democratic Republic of Timor whose people and leaders are determined to rebuild their country destroyed by hatred and by the inability to understand a decision: to be Timorese and, for the majority, Timorese Catholics". Pope John Paul II said this to Bishop Carlos Belo and Bishop Basilio do Nascimento, Apostolic Administrators of East Timor, whom he received for their ad limina visit on October 28. "In as much as you can, help your church communities to resume the normal rhythm of Christian life and witness" the Holy Father told the Bishops, underlining the need for people to learn to forgive "all those who either misled, convinced or forced…provoked mourning and orphans. Probably they did not realise that by killing others they were killing themselves." The Pope stressed the need to provide for all the local Catholics "catechesis on the full truths of the faith and its concrete implications for life", and to give special attention to the families and the defence of life. The Church expects lay Catholics to be present "with courage and intellectual creativity" in the worlds of culture, schools, university, science and art. At this time, when normal life is being resumed in East Timor, the Church can contribute greatly towards providing "adequate preparation for the country's future social, economic and political leaders". See complete address in Italian and Portuguese www.fides.org (Fides Service 7/11/2002)