from Bishop Theodore E. McCarrick
March 4, 1997
The Honorable Frank R. Wolf
241 Cannon House Office Building
U.S. Congress
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Wolf,
Thank you very much for your letter and enclosures of February 18, concerning your recent visit to Indonesia and East Timor. I have read your statements with interest and I wish to commend you for the leadership role you have long taken on behalf of the people of East Timor.
As you know, the U.S. Catholic Conference has been active for well over a decade in seeking to raise awareness of the conditions suffered by the East Timorese and to press our government to do what it can in furtherance of a just and peaceful resolution. Bishop Belo has met with our Conference on several occasions and we expect to have him with us during our next Assembly in Kansas City in June.
We have also given active support to efforts that you, Representative Hall and other Members have put forth at various times. Just two weeks ago, the enclosed "East Timor Update," including the text of H.Res. 45 which you co-sponsored, was passed out at an annual meeting of parish social ministry leaders from all over the country, who were urged, as they met with Members or staff from their districts, to encourage support for your resolution.
In closing, let me note that I am also responding for Bishop Anthony Pilla of Cleveland, the President of the U.S. Catholic Conference. With repeated thanks and all best wishes, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Most Reverend Theodore E. McCarrick
Archbishop of Newark
Chairman, USCC Committee On International Policy