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)