Pope Francis arrived in East Timor on Monday, marking a significant stop in his ongoing two-week tour of Asia and Oceania.
During his visit to the small island nation, the pope issued a sweeping condemnation of various forms of abuse, though he notably avoided directly addressing the Catholic Church’s troubled history with clergy sexual abuse in the country, which is the most Catholic nation in the world outside the Vatican.
At a meeting with government officials just hours after touching down in Dili, the capital, Francis expressed concern about the exploitation of the vulnerable, particularly young people.
“Let us also not forget that … 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.”
East Timor, a former Portuguese colony, remains deeply devout, with Catholicism woven into the fabric of its society. The pope was greeted as a hero by tens of thousands of enthusiastic Timorese who flooded the streets to welcome him.
This visit, taking place from September 9 to 11, is largely viewed as an opportunity to celebrate the nation’s robust Catholic identity and to bolster its recovery efforts following decades of violent conflict for independence from Indonesia.
Yet, the shadow of clerical sex abuse scandals looms large, threatening to overshadow the celebratory atmosphere.
Nearly 98% of the East Timorese population identifies as Catholic, and the Church’s influence runs deep. One of its most celebrated figures, Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, played a key role in the nation’s fight for independence, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996.
However, Belo’s reputation was tarnished by a 2022 Dutch newspaper report revealing that he had a long history of sexually abusing teenage boys. The Vatican later confirmed that the bishop had been discreetly sanctioned, sent to live in Portugal, and placed under travel restrictions.
Despite these revelations, many Timorese continue to revere their former bishop. In a society where Catholic priests are held in high esteem, many refuse to believe the allegations against Belo and are hesitant to confront the broader issue of sexual abuse within the Church. This reluctance is mirrored in the country’s leadership.
East Timor’s President José Ramos-Horta, a close ally of Belo, emphasized in a recent interview with the Associated Press that the pope’s visit should not be used as an opportunity to scrutinize the Church’s abuse record.
“The Timorese,” he explained, “continue to deeply respect Bishop Belo for his courage, his contribution to their struggle. He sheltered people, he saved people and people don’t just forget that … or castigate him, ostracize him.”
Seated beside Ramos-Horta during his address, Pope Francis chose not to directly confront the topic either. Instead, he lauded East Timor for its successful struggle for independence, officially declared in 2002 after nearly a quarter of the population was killed during the 25-year conflict.
“Yet, the country has been able to rise again, finding a path to peace and the beginning of a new phase of development, of improved living conditions and of appreciation on all levels of the unspoiled splendor of this land and its natural and human resources,” Francis remarked.
While the issue of clergy abuse was not at the forefront of his remarks, Francis acknowledged the resilience of the Timorese people.
He praised their “assiduous efforts” to reconcile with Indonesia, emphasizing that their commitment to the Gospel had facilitated their progress toward peace and stability.
With a youthful population—65% of the nation is under the age of 30—the pope focused much of his speech on the future.
He encouraged East Timor to continue investing in education, responsibly manage its rich oil and gas resources, and maintain its commitment to peace and democracy.
“Looking at your recent past and what has been accomplished so far, there is reason to be confident that your nation will likewise be able to face intelligently and creatively the difficulties and problems of today,” he said, delivering his speech in his native Spanish.
The excitement surrounding Francis’ visit has been palpable since his arrival in Dili. The prime minister was even seen sweeping the streets in preparation for the pope’s arrival, a testament to the anticipation building in the city.
Despite his 87 years, Pope Francis has shown remarkable stamina throughout his journey, which included earlier stops in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
As the pope continues his tour of East Timor, the island’s capital remains abuzz with excitement. His visit will culminate in a Mass on September 10, expected to draw more than 750,000 attendees—over half the country’s total population.
This remarkable turnout further highlights the profound impact the Church continues to have on this small, yet deeply faithful, nation.
