Cardinal Clancy visits East Timor

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)