Fighting Forgetfulness: A Reflection on the Indonesian Catholic Church’s Attitude During the Occupation of East Timor

Fighting Forgetfulness: A Reflection on the Indonesian Catholic Church’s Attitude During the Occupation of East Timor

The occupation of East Timor by Indonesia from 1975 to 1999 is a historical episode fraught with turmoil and grave humanitarian challenges. Amidst a conflict marked by blatant human rights abuses, the role of various institutions—including the Catholic Church—deserves to be scrutinized with honesty and openness.

The Catholic Church in East Timor is known as one of the few voices that tried to protect and defend the rights of its people during these harsh times. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Catholic Church, represented by the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), adopted a far more cautious stance. This posture raises serious questions and invites critical reflection, especially on how a religious institution positions itself when faced with moral and social challenges.

The Situation in East Timor: A Snapshot

After Indonesia’s invasion and annexation of East Timor in late 1975, numerous reports and studies revealed significant human rights violations during the occupation. The humanitarian impact on the local population was devastating, including widespread loss of life and suffering.

In this grim reality, the East Timorese Catholic Church played a vital role as a guardian of justice and human rights defender. A key figure was Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his courageous advocacy.

Bishop Belo’s Plea to the Indonesian Catholic Church

Bishop Belo repeatedly called on the Indonesian Catholic Church, through the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), to take a clear and firm stand against the occupation and violence in East Timor. On several occasions, Belo warned that the silence or passive stance of the Indonesian Church only worsened the suffering of the Timorese people.

For instance, in an open letter cited by John G. Taylor in his book East Timor: The Price of Freedom (1999), Belo wrote:

“I urge the KWI to condemn this unjust invasion and raise its voice for the oppressed. Silence is not an answer; the Church must be the voice of truth and justice.”

(Belo, cited in Taylor, 1999, p. 132)

Yet, this heartfelt plea was largely ignored by the KWI at the time, rendering the Indonesian Catholic Church’s role in the East Timor humanitarian crisis highly questionable.

The Indonesian Catholic Church’s Hesitant Stance: A Reflection

The cautious stance taken by the Indonesian Catholic Church in responding to East Timor’s plight has been interpreted by some scholars as the result of political pressure and the complex relationship between Church and state. Benedict Anderson, in Imagined Communities (1991), highlights how religious institutions in Indonesia often face a dilemma between spiritual missions and national political dynamics.

Critics like Margaret Sleeboom-Faulkner (2000), in her article Church and State Relations in Indonesia: The Case of Timor Leste, point out that KWI’s lack of vocal opposition can be understood as an attempt to maintain good relations with the government, even at the cost of the Church’s moral legitimacy.

History Repeating Itself: Lessons for Papua

Reflecting on this episode is crucial for the present context, especially considering the ongoing situation in Papua. The history of East Timor reminds us how silence or cautiousness by major institutions like the Church risks repeating the same pattern: allowing the suffering of peoples to continue without adequate support.

History will be the judge of how the Indonesian Catholic Church positions itself amid current and future moral and social challenges. It is imperative that the Church learns from past mistakes and adopts a more courageous and just stance, especially regarding Papua.

The Necessity of Fighting Forgetfulness and Reflection

Faced with this complex and challenging history, the Indonesian Catholic Church must engage in profound reflection on its past attitudes and roles. Such reflection is essential for the Church to strengthen its moral commitment to justice and human rights in the future.

To fight forgetfulness means to ensure that past experiences are not erased, but rather serve as valuable lessons. As a spiritual institution, the Church has a moral duty to continuously strive to be an agent of peace and justice, supporting human rights protection without exception.

Conclusion

The history of the East Timor occupation stands as a stark reminder to all nations and institutions, including the Indonesian Catholic Church, about the urgent need for courage and moral clarity in confronting injustice. With openness and honest reflection, the Church can play a more constructive role in realizing true humanitarian values.

May this reflection contribute to a collective effort to build a fairer and more peaceful future, and to strengthen the voice of justice amid ever-shifting social and political dynamics.