E. Timor bishops support all-faith talks

JAKARTA (JP): The two East Timor bishops have thrown their weight behind a plan to have a meeting between people of all faiths in the area, to increase understanding and promote tolerance.

Blessing the dialog initiated by East Timor youth were Dili Bishop Mgr Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and Baucau Bishop Mgr Basilio do Nascimento.

"They support the planned meeting because it will help improve religious tolerance in the East Timor province," said organizing committee member Franqueleno da Costa Freitas, after meeting Bishop Belo at the diocese office in Dili Saturday.

The dialog will be the first of its kind to be organized in the former Portuguese colony that was integrated into Indonesia in 1976.

East Timor is predominantly Roman Catholic. Occasional religious incidents involving locals and migrants of other religious faiths have been reported over the past few years.

"Bishop Belo gave his blessing, as he sees the activity as a positive thing," Franqueleno said, as quoted by Antara.

The meeting is scheduled to take place July 8, 1997, in the auditorium of the governor's office.

The dialog will feature Bishop Basilio, Head of East Timor Moslem Ulemas Council Abdullah M Sagran and Hindu and Buddhist representatives.

Bishop Belo, who is unable to attend, will be replaced by Dili diocese vicar general Mgr Jose Antonio da Costa, according to the organizing committee.

Franquelino, who chairs the Pioneering Youths in the Development of East Timor, shares Belo's views, that there are still many irresponsible individuals who use religion as an excuse to justify their personal interests.

Paulo Pereira dos Santos, chairman of the Dili diocese youth club, said religious issues in East Timor, until now, were still "kept under wraps" for the sake of political interest. (40)