Text 2514, 67 rader
Skriven 2007-05-27 14:12:04 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
===================================================
Hello All!
                This Area is READ ONLY.  Do not post to this area.
                The following press release is Copyrighted by the
                          Vatican Information Service.
                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                               VIS-Press releases

EAST TIMOR: FACING THE FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE

VATICAN CITY, MAY 21, 2007 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Pope
received the Letters of Credence of Justino Maria Aparicio Guterres, the first
ambassador from the Democratic Republic of East Timor. The Holy See established
diplomatic relations with the country on the same day that East Timor declared
its national independence, May 20, 2002.

In his talk to the diplomat the Pope expressed the view that the large turnout
in recent presidential elections, won by Nobel Peace Prize-winner Jose Ramos
Horta, "demonstrate the great civic maturity of the people of Timor, and the
hope they have in the process of constructing a democratic State."

"Those in charge of the political, social and economic life of East Timor," he
said, "face an arduous journey not without obstacles: there is no lack of
internal and external misunderstandings; resources are insufficient to answer
the many needs of health, education and employment; and not everyone is ready
to abandon their personal or party interests."

The Church and her pastors in East Timor, where 98 percent of the population is
Catholic, said the Holy Father, "inspires and promotes a culture of solidarity
and peaceful coexistence in justice, encouraging people to collaborate in favor
of progress and the common good, without forgetting the attention due to the
poorest and least privileged."

After recalling how on Easter Sunday this year he had mentioned the population
of East Timor's "need of reconciliation and peace," the Pope launched an appeal
to the authorities in the country "to do everything possible to restore public
order effectively, using legal means, and to ensure security for citizens in
their daily lives, thanks also to a renewed confidence in the legitimate
institutions of the State."

The Holy Father also emphasized how the Church, "in enlightening the moral
conscience of political, economic and financial leaders," highlights "the
principle of solidarity as the basis for a true economy of communion and
distribution of wealth, both in the international and the national spheres.
Such solidarity requires that the efforts to resolve problems of
underdevelopment, and the sacrifices necessary to overcome economic and
political crises, be shared equally, bearing in mind the needs of those least
able to defend themselves."

"By means of technical assistance and appropriate training, it is vital to help
those countries that are coming out of difficult periods to support stable
democratic institutions, and to use their wealth for the good of all
inhabitants, ensuring people a dignified moral, civic and intellectual
education. ... Through the integral promotion of people, it will be possible to
help countries develop, and to help them become the main players in their own
progress and partners in international life, facing the future with
confidence."

Benedict XVI concluded by giving assurances that bishops, priests and lay
faithful in East Timor "will tirelessly continue their mission of
evangelization, assistance and charity, ... bearing witness of selfless
commitment to the most needy."
CD/LETTERS OF CREDENCE/EAST TIMOR:APARICIOVIS 070521 (500)

SUMMARY

--- MPost/386 v1.21
 * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)