A U.S. journalist who happened to be present brought the situation to the world's attention. Marcal spoke out later in the year during the World Council of Churches gathering. During his U.S. visit, he said the Disciples of Christ and other church groups lend important moral support to their efforts. We feel we are not alone anymore. Protestants or Christians are a tiny minority in East Timor.
Most persons still practice the animist religion.
Still others are Muslim adherents. Joining the Protestant church in that task, however, is the Catholic Church which condemned the human rights violations early on. In fact, Catholic Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo is one of two Timorese recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.