Families near Dili, Timor-Leste’s capital, face the demolition of their homes as preparations intensify for Pope Francis’s upcoming mass. Government authorities have informed nearly 90 residents that they must relocate before the pontiff’s visit next month.
Residents claim the government’s eviction narrative misrepresents the situation, with officials asserting that the families are illegally occupying the land. However, the local community is alarmed as they scramble to find alternative housing.
The government has allocated approximately $18 million for the Pope’s three-day visit, starting on September 9, amidst rising tensions over the evictions.
Local resident Zerita Correia expressed her distress, stating, “We are very sad. They even demolished our belongings inside the house.” Many families have been offered compensation ranging from $7,000 to $10,000, but community representatives argue this amount is insufficient to cover their needs. Venancio Ximenes, a spokesperson for the residents, warned that an additional phase of evictions, affecting over 1,300 families, is expected after the Pope’s departure.
The contested homes are situated in Tasitolu, a wetland area that has seen an influx of residents over the past decade, primarily those seeking job opportunities in the capital. The government labels these residents as squatters, denying their claims to the land.
In communication with the press, a government minister informed that the decision to clear the area was communicated to residents as of September 2023. Germano Santa Brites Dias, the Secretary of State for Toponymy and Urban Organisation, stated, “It is time for the state to take back its property.” He added that previous discussions with the community had occurred regarding their removal.
Anticipation for Pope Francis’s open-air mass in Tasitolu is high, with estimates suggesting around 700,000 attendees. Preparations include converting a 23-hectare area for the event. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the expenditures linked to the papal visit, including a $1 million investment in a new altar, while many Timorese citizens struggle in poverty.
According to UN statistics, nearly half of Timor-Leste’s population lives beneath the national poverty line, highlighting the stark contrast between the government’s spending on the papal visit and the resources allocated for food production, which stands at approximately $4.7 million annually.
Next month will mark the first papal visit to Timor-Leste since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1989, a significant moment for a nation where 97% of the population identifies as Catholic. Meanwhile, alongside the enthusiasm for the Pope’s visit, campaigners are urging him to address ongoing issues related to a recent abuse scandal involving a prominent church figure in the region.
The 2022 revelation of abuses by Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, a notable independence figure, has cast a shadow over the Church. Although the Vatican acknowledged the situation and implemented disciplinary actions as early as 2019, it remains uncertain whether Pope Francis will engage with the victims or offer an apology during his visit.
