Cardinal Clancy visits East Timor

JAKARTA: Cardinal Edward Clancy of Australia is due in East Timor today for a nine-day visit at the invitation of Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, Antara reported yesterday.

Cardinal Clancy, who is based in Sydney, said his visit aims at strengthening brotherhood between Catholics in both countries and for pastoral purposes. No political issues would be raised.

Well-known for his critical stand on the Indonesian government, Cardinal Clancy is said to have obtained the Vatican's approval for the visit.

Meanwhile, Bishop William Brennan of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, was quoted as saying that Cardinal Clancy will give Bishop Belo and East Timor Catholics encouragement. (pan)