Church Joins Government In Asking Refugees To Go Home
Thursday, May 22nd, 200822/5/08
The Catholic Church in East Timor is helping the government encourage thousands of people who left their homes in fear of violence to now return home. At a Mass on May 15 for 2,000 refugees preparing to go home in the coming days, Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva of Dili said, “The Church is always ready to collaborate with the government to resolve the IDP (internally displaced people) problem.” Parliament President Fernando de Araujo, other members of parliament and government officials attended the Mass at the Garden of Mother Mary from Fatima, a public park near the Dili harbor. Refugees have been a source of concern since 100,000 people sought safety from gang violence that erupted in 2006 and killed at least 20, following a dispute within the army. About 60,000 remain in makeshift camps, many on Church property, largely in the capital area.
