Subject: E Timor President pushes for Vatican agreementalso
East Timor looks to new agreement with Vatican
ABC News
E Timor President pushes for Vatican agreement
October 16, 2008
East Timor's President is calling for the state to sign an agreement,
known as a 'concordata' with the Vatican, following his recent visit to
the Holy See.
The nation is 97 per cent Catholic and Jose Ramos-Horta strongly
believes there will be no opposition to the proposal.
The president announced his plans for East Timor to sign a concordat
with the Vatican, during his visit to Manatotu district to attend a
catholic celebration
While the agreements differ among countries, the principle is to provide
formal recognition for the Catholic Church and give it certain
privileges.
"In which first it provides, the Government recognise the legal status
of Churches in Timor-Leste," said President Ramos-Horta.
"As of now, everyone takes for granted that the state recognises the
churches but there is nothing stated or written in law."
While the draft concordata for East Timor is not yet complete, it is
likely to cement the Church's claim to large tracts of land and
property, and allow it to develop education programs independently of
the state.
Mr Ramos-Horta says, more importantly, it will ensure East Timor adopts
in law the Vatican's views on abortion and prostitution.
The nation's constitution recognises the valuable role of the church in
the nation's 24-year struggle for independence from Indonesia.
Mr Ramos-Horta says Christianity is the reason the country has a strong
national identity.
"97 per cent of the people are Catholic, most are practising and 100 per
cent are believers, and the church for them is the symbol of their
belief," he said.
"They will listen first to the church before they listen to the sinful
politicians."
But almost a decade after independence East Timor's leaders are still
struggling to eradicate widespread poverty.
The president believes the young nation can draw on the experience of
the Catholic Church in areas like education, health care and rural
development to move the country forward.
You can find the full story at the Connect Asia website:
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia
--
<http://abc.net.au/>ABC
Online
East Timor looks to new agreement with
Vatican
Updated October 16, 2008 12:04:37
East Timor's President is calling for the state to sign an agreement,
known as a 'concordata' with the Vatican, following his recent visit to
the Holy See.
The nation is 97 percent Catholic, and Jose Ramos-Horta strongly
believes there will be no opposition to the proposal.
Presenter: Stephanie March
MARCH: Villagers in Soibada, in Manatotu district welcomed Jose
Ramos-Horta with a performance of traditional Timorese music.
The President spent a large part of his childhood living in the small
mountain village. Despite the traditional welcome, the Presidential
pilgrim was not returning to Soibada to celebrate the country's animist
roots, but instead for the Catholic celebration of Our Lady of Aitara.
He chose this visit to announce his plans for East Timor to sign a 'Concordata'
with the Vatican. Portugal, the former colonial rulers of East Timor, is
one of dozens of countries that have concordata's with the Holy See.
While the agreements differ among countries, the principle is to provide
formal recognition for the Catholic Church and give it certain
privileges.
HORTA: In which first it provides, the government recognize the legal
status of Churches in Timor-Leste. Now everyone takes for granted that
the state recognize the churches, but there is stated, nothing written
in law.
MARCH: While the draft concordata for East Timor is not yet complete,
it's likely it will cement the Church's claim to large tracts of land
and property, and allow it to develop education programs independently
of the state. But President Ramos Horta says more importantly, it will
ensure East Timor adopts in law the Vatican's views on abortion, and
prostitution. The Catholic Church has always been highly influential in
the country of one million people. The nation's constitution recognizes
the valuable role of the church in the nation's 24-year struggle for
independence from Indonesia.
HORTA: In any case only an atheist and an idiot would want to govern
this country completely alienated from the church hierarchy and the
church as a whole.
MARCH: He says Christianity is the reason the country has a strong
national identity.
HORTA: Ninety seven percent of the people are Catholic, most are
practicing, and one hundred percent are believers, and the church for
them is the symbol of their belief. And they will listen first to the
church before they listen to the sinful politicians.
MARCH: But almost a decade after independence, East Timor's leaders are
still struggling to eradicate widespread poverty. The President believes
the young nation can draw on the experience of the Catholic Church in
areas like education, health care, and rural development to move the
country forward.
HORTA: They have much more experience, so we are like youngsters, like
students compared with the role of the church. So only an atheist and an
idiot would not like to develop a strong relationship with the Church.
This country cannot move forward, will only be stable if the two work
together.
MARCH: He doesn't expect any resistance to the proposal. In 2005 the
government led by Mari Alkatiri was criticized when the possibility of
dropping religious education from the school curriculum sparked mass
demonstrations against the state. But the president says Dr Alkatiri,
secretary-general of the opposition party and an influential Muslim, was
the first to suggest strengthening the state's relationship with the
Vatican.
HORTA: One of the most misunderstood aspects of Mari Alkatiri was in
regard to his stance on the role of the church, it is completely false
that he was negative or antagonistic towards the church.
MARCH: It's no secret that President Ramos Horta is a deeply religious
man. He almost died after being shot by a gang of armed rebels in
February this year.
While lying in a pool of blood on the road in front of his home waiting
for an ambulance? he says he had an apparition. He says he heard a loud
voice telling him it was not yet his time to die.
Basilio do Nascimento is the Bishop the East Timor diocese of Baucau.He
says the president's his experience has been received differently in
Asia than it would be in European countries.
BASILIO: if you read the constitution of Portugal, France etc, it is
very clear saying that the political man has no right to affirm his
religious position, but here in Asia is different, and the religious
side of the leader is very appreciated.
MARCH: Bishop Basilio says instead of being criticized for his
affirmation, the President is admired because of it. Jose Ramos Horta
agrees the experience only enhanced his ability to do his job.
HORTA: if anything, I realize that life is short, that life is
beautiful, and god gave me a second chance for no other purpose other
than to help my people and my country into the path of peace.
* Listen: <http://www.abc.net.au/ra/programguide/stories/m1657487.asx>Windows
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