Some Indonesian Catholics prefer to see pope in Timor-Leste

Considering distance and expenses in Jakarta, they have opted for Dili which has risen to the occasion

Sep 10, 2024

DILI: More than 1,000 Indonesian Catholics have arrived in Timor-Leste to attend the papal Mass on Sept. 11.

Indra Maulana Dimyati, head of a state-run immigration office unit in East Nusa Tenggara province that shares a border with the Catholic-majority country, said his unit in Belu Regency has been witnessing an increase in travelers since Sept. 7.

"We estimate that the number of people crossing the border to attend the Holy Mass with Pope Francis in Dili at more than 1,000," he told UCA News.

Of them, 797 visitors are registered with Kupang archdiocese and Atambua diocese in Indonesia, he added.

Pope Francis arrived in the former Portuguese colony on Sept. 9 as part of his 11-day Asia-Pacific trip — the longest in his papacy so far.

During his three-day stay in Timor-Leste, Francis will celebrate Mass at Tasitolu Field where 75,000 people will attend. St. Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at the same venue in 1989 when the country was under Indonesian control.

Dimyati said his office has 80 personnel, who will be on standby 24 hours until Sept. 12.

Indonesians in West Timor, which is predominantly Christian, and its neighboring places preferred to go to Timor-Leste even though Francis was in the capital, Jakarta, from Sept. 3-6.

Considering the 2,700-kilometer distance to Jakarta, Timor-Leste’s capital Dili, is just 400 kilometers away.

In July, Kupang archdiocese and Atambua diocese announced the registration to attend the papal Mass in Jakarta. But few came forward.

“Considering the distance and the expensive hotel accommodation in Jakarta, people chose Timor Leste," said Archbishop Hironimus Pakaenoni of Kupang.

“Wherever the pope is, Catholics can come there," Pakaenoni added.

On Sept. 9, Bishop Dominikus Saku of Atambua led a large group to Timor-Leste by bus and car.

Bonefacio Martins Belo, a Timor Leste consul agent at the border, said they have waived off a road tax which usually costs US$5 per vehicle.

"This time we are providing free entry because it is related to the pope's visit," he said.

The Indonesian government has sent a 56-member medical team from the three regencies of Belu, North Central Timor, and Malaka.

The team will assist the Timor Leste government, said Ansilla Eka Mutty, head of the Belu Regency health office, on Sept. 9.

Timor Leste is rolling out a red carpet welcome for visitors, said Meta Pires, an official at the state administration ministry.

Mikael Berek, 45, a Catholic from Belu Regency, hailed the Timor Leste government.

"We never imagined getting special treatment like this. We will not forget this," he said.--ucanews.com