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New church building heals Timor-Leste independence wounds

Church reunites families split in two during 1999 violence, but more work is needed
New church building heals Timor-Leste independence wounds

Relatives separated by war meet for the first time in more than a decade at a church building inauguration in Timor Leste. (Photo by Thomas Ora)

Published: August 23, 2016 10:16 AM GMT
Updated: August 23, 2016 10:55 AM GMT

As the 17th anniversary of the violent East Timorese independence referendum approaches, people who escaped to neighboring Indonesia are slowly finding their way back home to be reunited with families split by the crisis.

Our Lady of Grace Church in Gleno, 30 kilometers from the capital, Dili, helped the process by inviting former refugees to the inauguration of a new church building.

Luis Partilha Salsinha returned home for the inauguration ceremony accompanied by 93 other refugees who left when fighting broke out following a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999 that ended 24 years of Indonesian occupation.

"I am very glad because I can see my country, land, and relatives again after sixteen years," said Salsinha, 56.

"I thank the government of Timor-Leste and the Catholic Church who remembered us even though we have been living far away for many years."

According to the UN, about 280, 000 civilians were killed in 1999 — including four priests, two nuns and a brother — and more than 200,000 fled to Indonesia.

The church feels called to reconcile refugees with those who stayed home. Last year, reunions took place in Viqueque and Manatutu districts in Baucau Diocese.

Father Herminio de Fatima Goncalves, director of Dili’s Justice and Peace Commission, said that the Catholic Church facilitates the reconciliation process.

He felt it was especially important to invite former refugees to the inauguration of the new church which was built at a cost of US$2.4 million, mostly donated by the Timor-Leste government.

"Reconciliation gives them the chance to go back and forth without any burden, either to visit their sick relatives in Timor-Leste or Indonesia," he told ucanews.com.

Bishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili who witnessed and blessed the ceremony said it signals a new stage in the history of the Timor-Leste Church.

"I am glad because we can reunite with our separated relatives," Bishop Da Silva said.
The prelate also praised local leaders, former independence fighters, and all the Catholics who invited their brothers and sisters living in Indonesia to the inauguration.

"This is a bold initiative," he said. "It’s an opportunity to reflect upon our past experience and prevent it from happening in future. Let’s ask for God’s grace so we always forgive each other."

Those who wound up in Indonesia found they had exchanged safety for a tough lot.

Salsinha used to be a respected coffee farmer in Ermera, about 40 kilometers west of Dili, who managed his own farm. He does not own land in Indonesia and depends on local people to lease him a plot to grow cassava, corn, and vegetables.

Meanwhile Salsinha’s wife also works on land owned by other people. It’s not easy for the couple who have 10 children but they are still not sure if they will return to Timor-Leste for good.

"But if many people decide to return I will join them, because living in Atambua is tough and there is a shortage of water and electricity," said Salsinha.

Relatives separated by Timor-Leste's independence conflict exchange gifts after being reunited at church building inauguration ceremony in Gleno. (Photo by Thomas Ora)

Deputy Chairman of the Timor-Leste Parliament, Eduardo de Deus Barreto said reconciliation is important to bring together those separated by war, and underscored the fact that separation was a bitter choice taken during tough times.

"But take note that we don’t reconcile with killers or criminals," said Barreto, who was commander of a military battalion who fought against Indonesia.

A 2003 report by the Timor-Leste Serious Crimes Unit revealed that 300 people were accused of committing of serious crimes before and after the referendum in 1999.

"They live in Indonesia but only about one hundred have faced trial," said Sisto dos Santos, a lawyer at the Law, Human Rights and Justice Foundation, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.

"It is not a revenge, but to teach the younger generation not to repeat crimes of the past," he explained.

Despite this minority, it’s clear that the Timor-Leste government wants those who left to return and help develop the country.

"In the past we threatened each other, killed each other," said Barreto.

"Through this reconciliation let us all agree to leave our past behind and build a better future."

 

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