Pope Addresses Bishop Abuse Scandal During East Timor Recovery Celebration

DILI, East Timor — On Monday, Pope Francis received an enthusiastic welcome upon his arrival in East Timor, where he was in the country to commemorate its progress following a tumultuous independence struggle. His visit also touched on recent controversies involving the country’s celebrated independence leaders.

As the pope’s motorcade made its way into Dili, a sea of supporters filled the streets, waving both Vatican and Timorese flags. Many held umbrellas adorned with the yellow and white colors of the Holy See to shield themselves from the midday heat.

“Viva el Papa!” they cheered as he passed. The 87-year-old pope seemed to enjoy the warm reception, smiling and waving from the back of his open-top vehicle as he was greeted by numerous billboards featuring his likeness and welcoming messages.

East Timor, predominantly Catholic and among the poorest nations globally, eagerly anticipated Francis’ visit, coinciding closely with the 25th anniversary of the U.N.-endorsed referendum that led to the nation’s independence from Indonesian rule.

This reception contrasted starkly with the atmosphere during the last papal visit in 1989 by Pope John Paul II when East Timor was still experiencing the heavy hand of Indonesia’s military occupation. John Paul’s visit ultimately drew international attention to the Timorese struggle for freedom. Following a decisive vote for independence a decade later, a brutal military response led to the devastation of 80% of East Timor’s infrastructure and the loss of around 200,000 lives during the 24 years of Indonesian rule.

Francis arrived in East Timor from Papua New Guinea, greeting revered independence figures such as President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao upon his landing. During a private meeting with these dignitaries, the pope praised the resilience of the Timorese people, recognizing their journey from “greatest suffering and trial” to steady development. He also commended their efforts in reconciling with Indonesia.

Despite celebrating their achievements, the pope acknowledged emerging challenges faced by the nation, including issues like emigration, pervasive poverty, alcohol dependency, and violence linked to martial arts gangs.

“Let us also not forget that these children and adolescents have their dignity violated,” he stated. “In response, 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.”

While his remarks alluded to the broader context of abuse, they also resonated with ongoing concerns surrounding Timorese Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, a prominent figure in the independence movement. The 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who won the award alongside Ramos-Horta, has recently been implicated in abuse scandals. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed that it had imposed sanctions on Belo for sexually abusing minors, which restricted his movements and interactions.

Despite the Vatican’s actions, many in East Timor continue to defend Belo, often downplaying the accusations against him. Some even expressed hopes that he would be present to greet the pope during his visit.

An American missionary, Richard Daschbach, who helped save lives during the independence struggle, is also under scrutiny as he serves a 12-year sentence for molesting young girls.

Ramos-Horta recently stated that this was not the time to address church scandals during the pope’s visit. He suggested it would be inappropriate to revisit such painful issues in this context, asserting that the Vatican should handle the matter independently.

Francis’ indirect reference to abuse appears to be a diplomatic effort to recognize the issue while respecting local sentiments. The Vatican has faced significant pressure regarding its past actions in safeguarding figures like Belo, whose misconduct was reportedly long known in the community.

The pope is set to honor East Timor’s rich Catholic heritage with a special Mass on Tuesday at the same seaside location where John Paul II once celebrated a service in 1989, a moment that buoyed the spirits of the Timorese. With an estimated population of 1.3 million, East Timor has evolved from around 20% Catholic at the time of the Indonesian invasion in 1975 to approximately 98% today, making it one of the most Catholic nations outside the Vatican.

“As a Catholic, we are so happy with the arrival of the pope in East Timor,” said Jose de Araujo, who was among the crowd welcoming Francis. Authorities have indicated that around 300,000 people registered to attend the Mass, but Ramos-Horta anticipated attendance could reach up to 700,000, including visitors from Indonesia’s West Timor, while the Vatican had estimated 750,000 participants.