No politics, Belo tells pilgrims

No politics, Belo tells pilgrims

DILI, East Timor: Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo
called on Catholics participating in a pilgrimage to Mt. Ramelau
next Sunday and Monday not to engage in any political action.

"We're hoping that the spiritual pilgrims, especially the
youth of East Timor, do not fall into the trap of brutal and
political action during the pilgrimage," Belo was quoted by
Antara as saying yesterday.

He conceded that in large gatherings of people, "political
action" could erupt which actually did not have anything to do
with religious rites.

An estimated 20,000 Catholics from East Timor and neighboring
East Nusa Tenggara will join the pilgrimage, which is basically a
retreat for spiritual enlightenment.

Local community leader Florentino Sarmento said Belo and
Baucau Bishop Basilio do Nascimento will lead the annual
pilgrimage. In 1993, the rite was held on top of Mt. Matebian in
Baucau, which is 130 kilometers east of here.

The Catholics will pray for world peace and for themselves,
Sarmento said. (swe)