The papal messages will likely shape the country’s spiritual and cultural landscape for years to come. Pope Francis’ Sept. 9-11 visit to Timor-Leste was a landmark event for the nation and a moment of immense significance for the Catholic community there.
The visit served as a powerful reminder of the influence of the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste and underscored the strong cultural ties between the faith and the identity of the Timorese people.
The seamless coordination between the Dioceses of Timor-Leste, the national government, and the Vatican in mobilising the masses to welcome the pope in Dili earned widespread admiration, both locally and internationally.
Around 500,000 to 700,000 people are estimated to have participated in the Papal Mass in Dili, making it the largest single gathering during Francis’ four-nation visit to Asia and Oceania from Sept 2-13.
The sheer size of the crowd was remarkable, considering that more than half of the nation’s 1.3 million had gathered there. It highlighted not only the people’s deep-rooted Catholic faith but also the cultural and social significance of the pope’s visit to the nation.
During his three-day visit, Francis delivered several powerful messages that resonated deeply with the Timorese people and touched on critical social and cultural themes. These messages were directed not only at lay Catholics but also at the clergy and the general public, addressing both spiritual and socio-cultural concerns.
Meeting with the clergy at the Cathedral in Dili, Francis addressed the importance of humility. He cautioned priests and Church officials against feeling “superior” when people refer to them as Amu (a term of reverence in Tetun meaning “Lord” or “Master”).
The pope emphasised that this respect should not be mistaken for a sense of superiority over the community, reminding the clergy that they are part of the people, born from the same roots and traditions. His call for humility was a reminder that the role of the clergy is to serve and guide, not to dominate or distance themselves from the people they are meant to shepherd.
Francis’ visit also brought to light some of the challenges facing the Church in Timor-Leste. The institution has become a powerful and influential entity in the country, but this power has often gone unchecked.
Issues such as allegations of sexual abuse by Church members and the practice of charging exorbitant administrative fees for Church services, such as baptism certificates, have created tensions between the Church and its followers.
The pope’s emphasis on humility and service implicitly addressed these issues, signalling the need for greater accountability and transparency within the Church’s operations. For many poor families, the burden of paying multiple fees to obtain Church documents is significant, and Francis’ visit highlighted the need for reforms that prioritise service over profit.
During the Mass, Francis delivered a powerful message on the importance of preserving local culture. He warned the Timorese people to be wary of “foreign crocodiles” that come ashore with the intent to disrupt and destroy local customs and traditions.
This metaphor of the “foreign crocodile” was striking, as the crocodile holds deep spiritual significance in Timorese mythology. The pope’s use of this symbol served as a reminder of the need to safeguard indigenous culture from external threats.
Interestingly, this message can be seen as a reflection of the Church’s own history in the region. The Catholic Church has, over centuries, appropriated elements of indigenous spirituality, such as the Tetun concepts of Maromak and Maromak Oan — terms that traditionally refer to feminine fertility deities in the indigenous belief systems — and reinterpreted them within a Christian framework.
Francis’ call to preserve local culture could be interpreted as an invitation for the Church to re-examine its own role in shaping and, at times, erasing indigenous identities.
Historically, the Catholic Church has appropriated local spiritual terminologies such as Maromak and Maromak Oan and redefined them to refer to a masculine, patriarchal Christian God, effectively rewriting the spiritual narrative to fit its own theology.
This redefinition not only erased the feminine aspects of the Timorese spiritual tradition but also labeled the indigenous practices as “pagan” and “savage,” positioning itself as the civilising force.
Francis’ message, therefore, is significant as it subtly calls for an acknowledgment and preservation of these indigenous spiritual elements that the Church has hijacked.
Another important cultural element highlighted by the pope was his reference to the Kaibauk (a traditional metal headdress symbolising masculinity) and the Belak (a round metal ornament worn on the chest, symbolising feminine virtue and beauty).
The pope explained the significance of these symbols, noting how they represent the complementary nature of masculine and feminine energies in Timorese culture. This was a historic moment for the Church in Timor-Leste, as it was the first time a Church leader publicly acknowledged and explained the cultural significance of these indigenous symbols.
For centuries, the Church viewed such symbols as remnants of “pagan” practices in a derogatory sense. Francis’ recognition of these symbols marks a shift in the Church’s attitude, encouraging respect for and integration of local cultural elements within the broader Catholic tradition.
Perhaps the most contentious message of Francis’ visit was his call for Timorese families to have more children. While the pope’s statement aligns with the Catholic doctrine on the value of life and family, it stirred controversy in a country struggling with high levels of child malnutrition and limited access to resources.
According to the 2022 census, Timor-Leste’s fertility rate stands at 3.6 children per woman, a decrease from 4.2 in 2015. However, nearly 47 percent of children under five in Timor-Leste are stunted, 8.6 percent suffer from acute malnutrition, and 23 percent of women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia.
Given these conditions, the pope’s encouragement to have more children seemed out of touch with the realities facing many families. This message sparked debates about the role of the Church in promoting family planning and sustainable development.
The papal visit was more than just a religious event; it was a moment of cultural awakening and social reflection. His messages resonated deeply with the Timorese people, touching on themes of cultural preservation, social justice, and the need for humility within the Church.
The visit also reinvigorated national pride, with the pope’s recognition of Timorese symbols, affirming the value of indigenous heritage in a globalised world.
Francis’ visit to Timor-Leste was a profound moment for the nation, blending religious significance with cultural and social introspection. His messages will likely shape the country’s spiritual and cultural landscape for years to come, encouraging both the Church and the people to honour their heritage while addressing contemporary challenges with humility and compassion.
Republished from UCANEWS , October 16, 2024
Josh Trindade
Josh Trindade is a PhD candidate at The University of Melbourne’s Indigenous Knowledge Institute. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial position of UCA News.