Speaking at St Peter's Square on 18 September, the Pope said the Church is "more alive" in areas like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

The pontiff emphasised the Church's need to move beyond its European roots and embrace the global Catholic community.

Francis remarked "We are still too Eurocentric… but in reality, the Church is much bigger… and much more alive in these countries".

Fraternity is the future

Reflecting on the Asian tour, Pope Francis praised the "missionary, outgoing Church" he encountered, especially in Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country where Catholics make up only 3% of the population.

He observed a dynamic faith community there, actively transmitting the Gospel.

Pope Francis signed a joint declaration with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque in Indonesia, condemning religious-based violence and promoting interfaith harmony.

"There, I saw that fraternity is the future, it is the answer to anti-civilisation, to the diabolical plots of hatred, war and also sectarianism" he said.

In Papua New Guinea, the Pope was welcomed by indigenous tribes who have embraced Catholicism.

He met with missionaries and catechists whom he called the "protagonists" of his visit and expressed hope for a future free from tribal violence and colonial dependencies.

Salt and light

The Pope's visit to East Timor, predominantly a Catholic nation, also left a strong impression.

He was touched by the country's large families and abundant religious vocations.

He called East Timor a model of a "culture of life", contrasting it with wealthier nations like Singapore which he said could learn from its example of high birth rates.

His final stop in Singapore, though starkly different from the other nations, reaffirmed his belief in the power of small, faith-driven communities.

"Even in wealthy Singapore, there are the ‘little ones' who follow the Gospel and become salt and light, witnesses to a hope greater than what economic gains can guarantee" he added.

The Pope's reflections emphasised the universality of the Catholic Church, urging believers to look beyond Europe to the flourishing faith communities in other parts of the world.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

La Croix International

CathNews New Zealand

However, the issue is expected to receive considerable attention in the coming days, as Pope Francis arrived this Monday, September 9, in East Timor, the third stage of his major Asian tour.

The 87-year-old pope will visit Dili, the capital of this island nation located between Indonesia and Australia, until the following Wednesday, before heading to Singapore, the final destination of what marks the longest journey of his papacy.

At the heart of these painful cases is notably the one of Bishop Carlos Belo, a hero in the fight for independence who has been accused of sexually abusing underage boys for about 20 years and was secretly sanctioned by the Vatican in 2020.

Bishop Belo had received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his central role in defending human rights in the country, which became independent in 2002 after over four centuries of Portuguese colonization and twenty-five years of Indonesian occupation.

In 2022, a shocking investigation by a Dutch weekly accused him—supported by testimonies—of abusing and raping young teenagers in the 1980s and 1990s and buying their silence, which forced the Vatican to make public the sanctions it had imposed on the bishop two years earlier.

La Croix conducted an on-site investigation in 2023, revealing the difficulty of breaking the silence surrounding the victims of sexual abuse in this fledgling democracy.

Prison visit

Bishop Belo, now 76, and highly respected by the people of East Timor, resigned from his duties in 2002 citing health reasons and now lives in Portugal.

Despite the serious accusations, he still enjoys broad support among the country's 1.3 million inhabitants, 98% of whom are Catholic.

"We feel like we've lost him. We miss him," said Maria Dadi, president of the East Timor National Youth Council, to Agence France-Presse (AFP), emphasising that "he truly contributed to the fight for East Timor."

In another case, an American priest, Richard Daschbach, was defrocked and found guilty in 2021 of sexually abusing young orphaned and underprivileged girls.

Despite being sentenced to twelve years in prison, he continues to receive support from the upper echelons of society.

In 2023, Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao sparked controversy by visiting Daschbach in prison to celebrate his birthday and share a cake with him.

The official papal itinerary does not include any meetings with victims, and the Vatican has not commented on the matter.

However, Francis, who has pledged "zero tolerance" for this scourge since his election in 2013, may address the issue in one of his speeches, which would be considered a strong gesture, or privately meet with victims.

Erased mural

For victim associations in other countries, as they told AFP, the pope must "acknowledge the sexual abuses committed by Church officials" against East Timorese children.

"Those abused by Bishop Belo and other clergy in East Timor will expect a public statement from the pope about the Church's ongoing failure to deal with its problematic clergy," said Tony Gribben, founder of the Dromore Survivors group based in Northern Ireland.

According to Gribben, a meeting would have "limited value" for victims, akin to the apologies offered by Francis during his visit to Ireland in 2018.

"That event was a well-crafted public relations exercise for the Church. But since then, things continue as usual in the Irish Catholic Church," he said.

The U.S. group Bishop Accountability, which documents the Church's abuse crisis, announced that it had written a letter to an influential cardinal asking him to "intervene on behalf of the abandoned Timorese victims" with the pope.

However, for many locals, the issue is not a central one, and many even hoped to see Belo allowed to return to attend the papal visit.

"As a people, we are very saddened by Bishop Belo's absence," said Francisco Amaral da Silva, a 58-year-old academic.

"The government and the Catholic Church should invite him."

Nevertheless, in Dili, there is a palpable discomfort over the idea that his name might be associated with this highly anticipated visit.

Earlier this month, a mural depicting Bishop Belo was painted on a wall beneath a sign welcoming Pope Francis. A few days later, it was erased.

• First published in La Croix International. Republished with permission.

The remarkable attendance was a testament to the overwhelmingly Catholic Southeast Asian country and the esteem with which its people hold the church.

The Mass, held at Tasitolu Park near the capital Dili, marked a significant moment in the country's religious history and echoed the visit of St John Paul II 35 years ago.

The gathering highlighted the deep devotion of the Timorese people in a nation where 97% of the population is Catholic.

Catholic Church's key role

Pope Francis arrived at the park in his popemobile and stayed well after sunset to greet the faithful, who illuminated the park with mobile phone lights.

"I wish for you peace, that you keep having many children, and that your smile continues to be your children" the Pope said, delivering his message in Spanish.

East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after decades of conflict that claimed up to 200,000 lives. The Catholic Church played a key role in supporting the country during its struggle, drawing international attention to human rights abuses under Indonesian rule.

Cardinal Carmo da Silva, the archbishop of Dili, told the crowd at the end of the Mass that John Paul's visit "marked the decisive step in our process of self-determination" and that Francis' visit to the same place "marks a fundamental step in the process of building our country, its identity and its culture".

Tasitolu Park once bore witness to atrocities committed by Indonesian forces. The park, where bodies were disposed of during the occupation, is now a symbol of peace. A large statue of St John Paul II stands in the park, commemorating his 1989 visit during East Timor's push for independence.

While local organisers initially expected 300,000 attendees, the actual turnout reached 600,000, according to the Vatican. The Pope's presence was described as a powerful source of blessing and hope for the people.

Prevent every kind of abuse

The day before the Mass, Pope Francis urged Timor-Leste's leaders to address child abuse following recent scandals involving clergy. He called for action to protect young people and condemned alcohol misuse and the violent use of martial arts, which has led to government crackdowns.

"Let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been violated. The phenomenon is manifesting all over the world" he said in a speech in the capital, Dili.

"We are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people" the pope added.

Sources

AP News

UCA News

CathNews New Zealand

Francis sounded warnings against the dangers of arrogance and power in religious leadership.

The meeting at Dili Cathedral came during the Pope's September 9-11 visit to East Timor.

"The priest is an instrument of blessing. He must never take advantage of his role. He must always bless, comfort, be a servant of compassion and a sign of God's mercy" said the pope.

He reminded clergy that their elevated status should not distance them from the people.

"You come from the people! You were born of mothers of the people! You grew up among the people!" Francis said.

"Don't forget the culture of the people you have received."

Continuing the conversation, Francis also addressed the temptations that come with power, sharing a personal anecdote.

"My grandmother always told me that the devil gets in through your pockets" he said.

He called on them to be vigilant against corruption which can infiltrate even Catholic communities.

"The tasks of the clergy are to proclaim the Gospel, to serve the poor and to work for justice and against corruption" Francis emphasised, encouraging church leaders to be "passionate, prepared and creative" in their mission of evangelisation.

Francis recalled the Gospel passage where Mary poured expensive perfume over Jesus's feet at the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary.

"You are the fragrance of the Gospel in this country" he said, calling on the clergy to spread the "perfume" of the Gospel to those in need, especially the poor.

"It means being vigilant about ourselves because a lukewarm spiritual mediocrity is always lurking" he said.

Sources

• Crux
• Katholisch.de

Extremely expensive

Last Thursday human rights organisation Lao Hamutuk told Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News that the Government's budgeted US$12 million is out of line with the country's extreme poverty.

Among the provisions within the budget is an altar costing US$1 million.

A researcher at the Timor-Leste Institute for Development Monitoring and Analysis is concerned about the imbalance between the amount budgeted for the papal visit and the amount budgeted for food production.

Far from the millions the Government has set aside for the two-days Francis will spend in East Timor, it has earmarked only US$4.7 million to increase food production the researcher says.

Such a "really low" budget will contribute almost nothing to increasing East Timor's food production sustainability or to agricultural development.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation is concerned about the Southeast Asian country.

It says East Timor is facing major challenges in terms of food security.

In addition, the United Nations organisation says high inflation and weather changes have reduced grain production.

Right now, about 364,000 people (27 percent of the population) are currently suffering from acute food insecurity.

Families evicted

The location chosen for the papal Mass is also garnering criticism.

It will be held in Tasi-Tolu, an open area on the coast about eight kilometres from Dili - East Timor's capital city.

To create the space needed for the Mass, the Government has seized 23 hectares of land.

Human rights activists say the confiscation will displace the 185 families who live there.

A Land Network coordinator says the Government hasn't offered the families - who are all poor - any alternatives.

"They are still waiting for compensation" the coordinator told UCA News.

" The date of their eviction is constantly changing. The lives of these families are uncertain at the moment, they don't know where to go."

Catholic majority

Like the Philippines, East Timor has a Christian majority.

Almost 98 per cent of the population is Catholic.

About 700,000 of East Timor's 1.3 million population are expected to attend the papal Mass.

Source

• katholisch.de

The United Nations and advocacy groups for survivors of clergy sexual abuse are urging Pope Francis to conduct a full inquiry into who knew what and when about Belo's sexual abuse.

The Vatican's sex abuse office said last week that it had secretly sanctioned Belo in 2020. It forbade him from having contact with minors or with his homeland, East Timor. The sanctions were based on allegations of misconduct that arrived in Rome in 2019.

That same year, Francis approved a new church law requiring all cases of predator prelates to be reported in-house. Francis also established a mechanism to investigate bishops who had long escaped accountability for abuse or cover-up during the church's decades-long scandal.

The Timorese Bishops' Conference said it would work with any possible judicial investigation arising from the allegations.

"If any legal process is set in motion in East Timor, the Timorese Bishops' Conference will comply with and cooperate with the legal process," it said in a statement carried by Portuguese news agency Lusa and reported by public broadcaster RTP.

Belo won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 with fellow East Timorese independence icon Jose Ramos-Horta. They were recognised for campaigning for a fair and peaceful solution to the conflict in their home country as it struggled to gain independence from Indonesia.

The bishop was feted at home and abroad for his bravery in calling out human rights abuses by East Timor's Indonesian rulers despite threats against his life.

Few Timorese wanted to speak about the allegations against Bishop Belo, but those who did voiced support for him.

"As East Timorese, we are shocked to hear this news," said Naomi Sarmento, a Catholic. "We have known Bishop Belo for a long time, a good person who has done many services for God, helped the people of Timor Leste and became a role model in the world. We will continue to support and pray that he stays healthy and continues to serve God."

In 2002, Belo retired as the head of the church in East Timor despite being just 54. He was two decades shy of the normal retirement age for bishops. He cited ill health and stress as reasons for his sudden retirement.

Within a year of his retirement, Belo had been sent by the Vatican and his Salesian missionary order to another former Portuguese colony, Mozambique, to work as a missionary priest. There, he has said, he spent his time "teaching catechism to children, giving retreats to young people."

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Vatican's doctrinal office, which handles sex abuse cases, first became involved in the case in 2019 in "light of the accusations it received concerning the bishop's behaviour."

Bruni said that in 2021, the measures were "modified and reinforced," without giving details. The Vatican spokesman said the bishop "formally accepted" the restrictions both times.

Belo is currently in Portugal, where the Salesians have said they took him in at the request of their superiors.

Sources

• AP News
• CruxNow
• Reuters

It has been 50 years since the 1st of May 1963 when the people of West Papua and the Land of West Papua were integrated into the Republic of Indonesia by means of military invasion after the TRIKORA (Tri Komando Rakyat, "People's Triple Command") speech by President Soekarno on the 19th of December 1961. Since then the people and the land of West Papua have been experiencing human calamities resulting from a conflict without a peaceful and fair resolution. Hundreds of thousands of the indigenous West Papuans have been murdered, slaughtered and imprisoned by the Republic of Indonesia.

Our land of abundance in natural resources has been exploited for the sake of capitalism and development. The capitalism only brings up colonialism. And, that is why the development for the people of West Papua is always under the operation of the militaristic intelligence (services). So, when our people demand a fair compensation due to the use of their traditional land for development, they are always named as the members of Free Papua Organization (OPM) or separatists. Such a condition sets a fire of revolt, Free Papua ideology, which is never put down.

Today, our history of the long-lasting Free Papua struggle is added to a long list of the sufferings of the people of West Papua. This should have become a reflection for all of us. Why did Xanana Gusmoa, Ramos Horta and Bishop Belo end the sufferings of the people of Timor Leste within a period of 24 years integration with Indonesia? Why has it been 50 years but the Free Papua Organizations has not shown any sign of accomplishment? Is this because our egocentric attitude is weakening us? Or has our loving God not been in our side yet? Continue reading

Sources

• Edison Waromi in West Papua Media Alerts
• Image: Dive the World

Edison Waromi is the Prime Minister of the National Federal Republic of West Papua, and is currently held in Abepura Prison serving a 3 year sentence for his role in organising and participating in the Third Papuan People's Congress.

The theme of the conference was "The challenge of the sects, in the horizon of the new evangelization".

It was reported that at the meeting it was agreed sects have a greater impact among Catholics whose faith is not based on a personal encounter with Christ and his ecclesial body, or resulting from true initiation to life in Christ.

The meeting also noted that the Year of Faith is the appropriate occasion to grow in faith, personally and communally, and in its testimony.

In sharing the challenges which the Church finds facing various Portuguese-speaking countries, the urgent need for Christians to engage in the promotion of a fair, free and united society, as an inalienable requirement of the faith, was highlighted.

The Bishops were received by the President of the Republic, Taur Matan Ruak, in an atmosphere of great cordiality, and by Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who spoke about the priorities of his government for the coming years.

An opportunity was provided to celebrate the Eucharist in various parishes in and around Dili. Particularly significant was the Eucharist concelebrated on Sunday, September 9 in the Cathedral of Dili, in thanksgiving for the 450th anniversary of the evangelization of Timor. The Mass was attended by the President, the Prime Minister, other members of the government, various authorities and countless faithful.

The meeting was attended by Bishops representing Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe, East Timor, as well as Fr. Maia Joseph, President of Fundação Fe and Cooperação (FEC) and Fr. Morujão Manuel, Secretary of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference.

Source

• Fides
• Image: Galenfrysingers.com