Cardinal Parolin: faith and culture in East Timor

(Vatican Radio) Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, on Friday (14th Aug.) stressed the importance of a strong convergence between faith and culture that exists in East Timor. The cardinal who is on a three day visit to the Asian nation, was speaking at a dinner hosted in his honour by the East Timorese Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo.   Earlier the two men had signed a bilateral accord confirming and guaranteeing the juridical status of the Catholic Church in East Timor. Cardinal Parolin’s other engagements in the East Timorese capital on Friday included a meeting with young people and an encounter with men and women religious. 

Please find below the full text of Cardinal Parolin’s address given at the dinner in Dili, East Timor on August 14th hosted by the Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo:

 

Your Excellency…

Honourable guests…

First and above all, I wish to thank you sincerely for hosting this most delightful dinner in my honour and that of my delegation, as a result of my being here in Dili as Papal Legate of His Holiness Pope Francis to participate in the celebrations of the 500th Anniversary of Evangelization of Timor-Leste and to sign the Accord between the Holy See and Timor-Leste on Timorese soil.

It is indeed a great honour to be here, on this most auspicious occasion, as the Legate of our Holy Father, who everyday reminds us all of those important values we must embrace, if we are to have a world where life is based on justice, solidarity and fraternity.  It is no secret that the Holy See and Timor-Leste hold a great deal in common with regard to those values, which assure the integral advancement of peoples.  That commonality is rooted in a unique convergence of faith and culture, over the centuries, which is a hallmark of Timor-Leste and which you are so rightfully celebrating this year.

At the same time, we cannot deny the fact that this convergence can only be sustained by commitment on the part of all who are given the highest responsibilities of government within civil society, and those within the Church who are called to shepherd the flock.  History has shown unfortunately that when this convergence is neglected or taken for granted, there is a tendency for faith and culture to diverge.  At times, that separation has been so drastic that the fundamental rights of the human person are relativized, forgotten or even denied.

Instead, when both civil and ecclesial authorities work together with mutual respect, they do so in the understanding that they are ultimately at the service of the people in their desire to realize their ideals and aspirations.

That is why, distinguished guests, the coincidence of the celebrations of the 500th Anniversary of Evangelization and the signing of the Accord between the Holy See and Timor-Leste is an indication that the highest authorities of this most beloved land and the authorities of the Catholic Church will not leave this convergence of faith and culture to chance.  Instead, inasmuch as we confirm and celebrate this long – very long –  historical link, we have both committed ourselves to assure that this union will not only continue, but that it will be strengthened for the good of the Timorese people themselves.

Honourable Prime Minister, permit me to take this opportunity also to assure you of the commitment of the Holy See in its support for the aspirations of Timor-Leste as it continues to emerge daily as an ever-stronger member of the family of Nations.  After the long struggle for independence, today, Timor-Leste is a proud member of the international community and brings to its institutions values, which can only lead to a world marked by peace and harmony.

Now, I invite everyone to raise their glasses in a toast for the well-being of the President, for the success of the Government and for the good of all the people of Timor-Leste.