DILI, Timor-Leste – Pope Francis has made a poignant call to protect children and adolescents from abuse during his visit to Timor-Leste, the latest destination on his tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania. Arriving in the capital city of Dili, the Pope stressed the need to protect young people, considering the wider challenges facing the region. Call for action against abuse Addressing local authorities and citizens, Pope Francis urged all to commit to preventing abuse and ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all young people. His comments, though not directly linked to any specific incident, come amid an ongoing controversy surrounding a prominent East Timorese bishop, Carlos Ximenes Belo. Bishop Belo, revered for his role in East Timor’s independence struggle, has faced allegations of sexual abuse dating back to the 1980s and 1990s. The Vatican acknowledged these allegations in 2019 and imposed restrictions on Belo’s activities in 2020, including a ban on unsupervised contact with minors. Despite these measures, the Survivors Network of People Abused by Clergy in Oceania has criticized the Church for not providing adequate compensation or redress for victims.
Pope’s emphasis on peace and freedom
In addition to addressing the abuse issue, Pope Francis praised Timor-Leste for its progress toward peace and freedom since gaining independence from Indonesia. He expressed gratitude for the resilience of the Timorese people during their struggle and celebrated the country’s emergence from a turbulent past.
The visit was marked with significant public enthusiasm, with thousands gathering in the streets to welcome the Pope. The atmosphere was festive, with crowds cheering and waving flags as he was driven through the city in an open-top carriage amid security.
Controversies surrounding the visit
The Pope’s visit was widely celebrated, but it was not without controversy. The local government’s decision to demolish homes in the area where the Pope would say mass was criticised. Residents of Tasitolu, a wetland area just outside the capital, were displaced to make room for the event. Many of these residents had moved to the area in search of work and built their own homes there. The government justified the demolitions by citing land ownership issues and urban planning needs, but the move has left many families struggling to find new housing.
In addition, there has been criticism about the cost of the visit, including the reported expenditure of US$1 million on a new altar for the Pope’s open-air mass. Critics argue that this money could have been better spent addressing important issues such as poverty, as nearly half of Timor-Leste’s population lives below the national poverty line.
Historical context and current implications
This visit is the first papal visit to Timor-Leste since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1989 during the Indonesian occupation. At that time, only 20% of East Timorese were Catholic, a figure that has now risen to nearly 97%. This dramatic increase in the Catholic population highlights the important role religion plays in the lives of the Timorese people.
The papal tour of the region also included visits to Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, reflecting the diverse Catholic presence in the region. Indonesia, where only about 3% of the population identifies as Catholic, is a stark contrast to Timor-Leste’s overwhelming Catholic majority.
Looking Ahead
As Pope Francis concludes his visit to Timor-Leste and prepares to travel to Singapore, his trip serves as a reminder of the complex interrelationship between religion, politics and social issues in the region. The focus on protecting children and addressing past abuses underscores the church’s ongoing struggle with these important issues, while celebrating Timor-Leste’s progress offers an optimistic outlook on the country’s future.
In the days to come, the pope’s visit will likely continue to have an impact on Timor-Leste and beyond, influencing both local and international perspectives on the challenges and triumphs facing this small but important nation.
