DILI, East Timor. The Catholic Church in East Timor, a nation that has long held deep reverence for its religious leaders, finds itself at a crossroads as Pope Francis prepares to visit the country. This visit comes amidst lingering shadows cast by revelations that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, an iconic figure in the country’s independence movement, had sexually abused young boys. Despite the Vatican’s confirmation of these abuses in 2022, the response within East Timor has been marked by silence, skepticism, and an enduring reverence for the accused.
In 2022, the Vatican admitted that Bishop Belo, who played a pivotal role in East Timor’s fight for independence from Indonesia, had been secretly sanctioned for his abuses. The measures included restrictions on his movements and a prohibition on voluntary contact with minors, according to Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni. However, many Timorese, including students like Martinha Goveia, remain unconvinced. Goveia expressed disbelief, stating, “If he’s not there [during the Pope’s visit], that is not good in my opinion,” signaling her doubt about the sanctions.
The Vatican’s acknowledgment of Belo’s misconduct has done little to diminish his status among many in East Timor, where he is still revered for his contributions to the country’s independence. The reluctance to confront these allegations is reflected in the actions of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, who has shown continued support for Richard Daschbach, an American missionary convicted in 2021 of sexually abusing young girls. Despite Daschbach’s conviction and admission of guilt, Gusmao has publicly visited him in prison, reinforcing the complex and troubling relationship between national heroes and their dark pasts.
As Pope Francis prepares to address the faithful in East Timor, there is no indication that he will directly confront these scandals, unlike his approach in other countries. This has drawn criticism from advocates like Anne Barrett Doyle of Bishop Accountability, who stated, “The victims of those two men have to be the most isolated and least supported clergy sex abuse victims in the world right now.”
The church’s prominent role in East Timor’s history, especially during the brutal Indonesian occupation, has created an environment where criticism of clergy members is often equated with a lack of patriotism. The Catholic Church’s influence is so deeply entrenched that it is even enshrined in the preamble of the country’s constitution, which credits the church with defending the people’s fundamental rights during their darkest days.
Historians like Luciano Valentim da Conceixao emphasize the church’s dual role, acknowledging the mistakes made by figures like Belo and Daschbach, but also highlighting their significant contributions to the nation’s freedom. “Clergymen are not free from mistakes,” da Conceixao admitted, adding, “But we, the Timorese, have to look with a clear mind at the mistakes they made and the good they did for the country.”
As the date of Pope Francis’ visit approaches, the question remains whether he will use this moment to address the pain and suffering of the victims directly. Barrett Doyle suggests that if the Pope were to condemn Belo and Daschbach by name and express support for the victims, it could be a pivotal moment not only for East Timor but for the global Catholic Church. “Francis could even address the country’s hidden victims, promising his support and urging them to contact him directly about their abuse — he literally could save lives,” she emphasized.
For now, the faithful of East Timor await the Pope’s arrival, hoping for guidance from a leader who has, in other parts of the world, taken a firm stand against the abuse that has plagued the church for decades. Whether that stand will extend to this small, devout nation remains to be seen.
