In 1998, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, another congress ws organized in Rome on the theme of the Inquisition. In the year 2000, from Feb. 25-27, the third symposium will be held on the application of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, considered by many as the most important Church event of this century. In a front page article in L'Osservatore Romano, Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo, Apostolic Administrator of Dili, East Timor, today called for peace and reconciliation on the island, which was annexed by Indonesia in 1975. Currently, elections results are being counted to determine whether the predominantly Catholic former Portuguese colony will continue to be a part of Indonesia or an independent nation. He asked that all parties respect the results of the election.
Observers note that the high turnout, regardless of the outcome, is a very positive sign.
Armed bands have terrorized the people in recent days in attempt to keep them away from the ballot boxes. This marks the first official visit since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the two governments. I think that our country required fundamental conditions having to do with questions of a military, political, and economic nature, but also with religious freedom and fundamental human rights. Today the situation is different. The current government of Vietnam recently permitted the elevation of three new bishops, which was certainly wonderful.