Salesian Missions

Cardinal Pell visits East Timor

Michael Lynch SDB

Contents - Apr 2006 - Buy a copy now Editorial: New cardinals: Benedict XVI signals his intentions - Michael Gilchrist Conscience: Dissenters' appeal to Rome 'a real hoot' says Cardinal Pell - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World Books: Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church EarthSong: Green Christianity or a new paganism? - Michael Gilchrist Salesian Missions: Cardinal Pell visits East Timor - Michael Lynch SDB Creation: Intelligent Design and the war against God - Stephen Hitchings The Domestic Church: The Christian Family Movement: re-evangelising through families - Leslie Sammut Has just punishment had its day? - Fr Matthew Kirby 1973 Decree: A Fourth Rite of Reconciliation for Queensland? - AD2000 Music and Culture: Benedict XVI, Mozart and the quest for beauty - Mark Freer Letters: Religious education - Saskia Ebejer Letters: Action needed - Kevin McBride Letters: New Age - Yana Di Pietro and Magenta Ray Letters: Translations - George Simpson Letters: National suicide - Greg O'Regan Letters: Anti-life politicians - Robert Bom Letters: RU486 - Brian Harris Letters: Courageous example - Arnold Jago Letters: Inclusive language - Ottavio Kos Letters: Overseas priests - Peter Gilet Letters: Leadership needed - Tom King Letters: Church of England - Jim Turley Letters: Religious life - Barbara Chigwidden Books: Swear To God: The Promise and Powers of the Sacraments, by Scott Hahn - Jacinta Cummins (reviewer) Books: Mother Angelica, by Raymond Arroyo - Stephen Hitchings (reviewer) Books: Fr Martin D'Arcy: Philosopher of Christian Love, by H.J.A. Sire - Michael E. Daniel Events: Holy Week 2006: Classical Roman Rite in Melbourne Books: Stimulating reading from AD Books Reflection: The redeeming Cross: at the centre of Christian faith - Cardinal George Pell

The idea that Cardinal George Pell might make a visit to Timor Leste, the world's "newest" country, was first mooted when Br Marcal Lopes and I called on him in his Sydney office in July 2004.

As part of my work with Salesian Missions I have been undertaking field visits to the country a couple of times a year since 2000 and Br Marcal was in Australia at that time working on his Masters degree in Educational Leadership at Australian Catholic University.

It was suggested that I draw up a draft itinerary for discussion, the trip being eventually set down for mid-January 2006.

Within hours of his arrival in Timor Leste, Cardinal Pell was received by President Xanana Gusmao - a man of great charm and charisma.

The Cardinal saw a good deal of the country, especially the eastern regions travelling in a utility driven by Br Marcal, the Headmaster of Don Bosco Technical School Fatumaca (near Baucau).

Salesians

He stayed with the Salesians at Baucau, Fuliloro, Lospalos, Fatumaca, and Comoro (Dili), and visited schools, orphanages, parishes and villages, and had lengthy meetings with Bishop Basilio Nascimento of Baucau and Bishop Ricardo Alberto of Dili, as well as discussions with priests in the Dili parishes and religious from several congregations.

Cardinal Pell celebrated Mass in the Tetum language on three occasions, and after the Sunday Mass to a packed church in Fatumaca, he was greeted by a bevy of teenagers seeking his autograph.

The extreme poverty, especially in rural areas, was obvious to him. It was clear the Government has not yet developed the mechanisms of providing basic services to improve the lives of ordinary people.

However, the Cardinal observed that the Church's presence is widespread with the services provided by its various agencies, especially the religious congregations (schools, orphanages, medical, loan of tractors, help with micro-finance, dress-making co-operatives, etc), proving essential.

We were in Lospalos on the day of the running of the heats of their annual horse race: the Don Bosco Cup, with the jockeys skilfully riding Timorese ponies bareback and without stirrups.

I thought the atmosphere that day was very much like a country race meeting in many parts of Australia with an attendance exceeding 3,000. The Cardinal was invited by the organisers to start the first race.

During his visit, Cardinal Pell:

* Received an informal briefing by the Acting Australian Ambassador, Ms Marena Tsirvas.

* Met Australian Defence Forces personnel stationed in Dili.

* Visited the Ahisaun Centre for the Disabled in Dili where Sydney couple Cheree and Michael Flanagan are volunteer workers.

* Addressed teacher education students at the Marist Brothers Teachers College Baucau and teachers and catechists in the Laga parish.

* Participated in a seminar for the teachers of Don Bosco Technical School, Fatumaca.

* Visited the Dili offices of Caritas Australia and Caritas Dili.

* Toured the museum where the archives of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission are housed.

* Willingly chatted to students wanting to practise their English.

Overall I felt that Cardinal Pell gained a great deal from the visit to Timor Leste. He now has a much better appreciation of the problems and challenges being faced by the Timorese. And I have no doubt that his cheerful presence and willingness to fit in with everything that was asked of him was a source of encouragement and a morale boost for local people.

Donations to support the Salesian educational and developmental work in East Timor can be sent to the Salesian Missions Office, P.O. Box 264, Ascot Vale, Vic 3032. Donations are tax-deductible.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 3 (April 2006), p. 7