Sarah Menassa
Promoter of Justice, Peace and the
Integrity of Creation
Franciscan Provincial Office
47 Victoria Street, WAVERLEY NSW 20=
24
Telephone: (02) 9369 9309 &=
nbsp; Fax:
(02) 9369 9322
18
February 2008
TIMOR LESTE
As St. Francis embraced the lepers and so=
ught
to challenge the civil authorities of his time, Franciscans today are engag=
ed
in making the world of the poor more just, and inclusive, and more peaceful=
. We
seek a world where the poor have access to the goods of the earth. We also =
seek
to dialogue with people of other cultures and other faiths in the spirit of
Francis and Clare and to build peace through justice for the poor and those
excluded.
In doing so, Franciscans in Australia have
started to build bridges between the people of Australia and the peoples of=
our
near region. East Timor is one such place where development projects have b=
een
established. Franciscan parishes in Australia are now involved in partnersh=
ip
programmes supporting communities in Timor.
Officially the Democratic Republic of
Timor-Leste (East Timor) is a country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the
eastern half of the island of Timor and nearby islands. This small country =
is
located about 640km northwest of Darwin.
Ea=
st
Timor was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century. In 1975 East
Timor declared its independence but was invaded and occupied by Indonesia l=
ater
that year. In 1999, Indonesia relinquished control of the territory and East
Timor became the first new sovereign state in the 21st century in
2002. Alongside the Philippines, East Timor is one of the only two
predominantly Roman Catholic countries in Asia.
For information about Parish Partnerships with Timor, please c=
ontact
the JPIC office.
STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED
On
Monday 11 February, East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot in the c=
hest
and back, forcing his evacuation to Australia for life-saving medical
treatment, while Prime Minister Gusmao came under fire separately but was n=
ot
harmed. The rebel leader Reinado, who attacked the country’s leaders,=
was
shot and killed.
Au=
stralian
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said that Australia would reinforce its troops in
East Timor as a result of the attacks. He has done so by sending “a
substantial” number of troops and Police to East Timor. Mr. Rudd touc=
hed
down in East Timor on Friday for a lightning visit designed to show support=
for
the tiny nation's government after the shooting of its president.
&q=
uot;We
want to play our part in ensuring security and stability, and restate our
support for long term economic growth and development in East Timor." =
Ra=
mos-Horta,
who has undergone three operations and been placed in an induced coma follo=
wing
the attack, is recuperating in hospital in Darwin.
We pray for the people of Timor,
that they may find peace in their homeland.
Th=
ere’s
a light that dawns at daybreak,
wh=
en
the sun peeks over the hills;
Th=
ere’s
a song that fills the air,
the
moment a meadow lark trills;
Th=
ere’s
pleasure that comes at sunset,
wh=
en
clouds are streaked with gold;
And
there’s delight in simmer,
wh=
en
roses first unfold.
Th=
ere’s
rest that comes in moonglow,
wh=
en
silver stars are bright;
And
rapture when a symphony
li=
fts
the soul in flight;
Th=
ere’s
joy that comes in sowing,
a =
tiny
fertile seed;
And
there’s peace in giving solace,
to
someone in great need.
(Evelyn Blanchard)