Roman Catholicism in East Timor
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The Roman Catholic Church in East Timor is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. There are over 900,000 Catholics in East Timor, a legacy of its status as a former Portuguese colony. Since its independence from Indonesia, East Timor became only the second predominantly Catholic country in Asia (after the Philippines) - approximately 96% of the population is Roman Catholic.
The country is divided into two dioceses; Dili and Baucau, both of which are immediately subject to the Holy See.
The Apostolic Nuncio to East Timor is concurrently the nuncio to Indonesia.[1] The current nuncio is Italian archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, and the nunciature is located in Jakarta.[2]
[edit] Origin
In the early 16th century, Portuguese and Dutch traders made contact with East Timor. Missionaries maintained a sporadic contact until 1642 when Portugal took over and maintained control until 1974, with a brief occupation by Japan during World War II.[3]
Pope John Paul II visited East Timor in October 1989. Pope John Paul II had spoken out against violence in East Timor, and called for both sides to show restraint, imploring the East Timorese to "love and pray for their enemies." [4] Retired bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize along with José Ramos-Horta in 1996 for their attempts to free East Timor from Indonesia.[5] The Roman Catholic Church remains very involved in politics, with its 2005 confrontations with the government over religious education in school and the forgoing of war crimes trials for atrocities against East Timorese by Indonesia.[6] They have also endorsed the new Prime Minister in his efforts to promote national reconciliation.[7] In June 2006 Catholic Relief Services received aid from the United States to help victims of months of unrest in the country.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ "New Timor Nuncio presents credentials, calls for end to conflict", Catholic News, March 2, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
- ^ Embassy and Consulates. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
- ^ Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. United States Department of State (September, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ A courageous voice calling for help in East Timor.. National Catholic Reporter (October 11th, 1996). Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ World Briefing. New York Times (November 27th, 2002). Retrieved on 2006-06-18.
- ^ E Timor may reconsider religious education ban. AsiaNews.it (April 27th, 2005). Retrieved on 2006-07-19.
- ^ Bishops encourage new premier in East Timor. Fides (July 18th, 2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-19.
- ^ Griffin, Elizabeth (June 6th, 2006). NEW SUPPLIES ARRIVE IN EAST TIMOR, MORE THAN 50,000 GET RELIEF. Catholic Relief Services. Retrieved on 2006-07-19.
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