Catholic Relief Services President Arrives in Timor-Leste: Ken Hackett Expresses Solidarity of American Catholics With the People of Timor-Leste
September 06, 2006, —
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) President Ken Hackett arrives this week for a three-day visit to observe CRS programs in Timor-Leste, meet some of the people they serve and confer with Church and government officials.
Mr. Hackett wishes to show his support to the people of Timor-Leste as they strive to develop their new country and overcome the recent violence that threatened its stability.
“I am here to express the commitment of solidarity between the Catholic people of the United States and all the people of Timor-Leste,” Mr. Hackett said. “CRS will continue to support the Timorese in achieving their vision of peace and prosperity. We will assist the Catholic Church as it reaches out in concern for its people. We will help where we can to support the building of structures to guide a vision of a better tomorrow.”
During his stay, Mr. Hackett will talk with several officials of the Catholic Church, including Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva of the Diocese of Dili and Bishop Basilio do Nascimento of the Diocese of Baucau. He will also visit the Don Bosco Training Centre, a school administered by the Salesian Brothers, which has been providing shelter to thousands of citizens who sought a refuge from the recent civil unrest.
Mr. Hackett is also scheduled to meet with Kay Rala “Xanana” Gusmão, the inaugural President of Timor-Leste, as well as Prime Minister Dr. José Ramos-Horta.
CRS/Timor-Leste, in partnership with the Church and other local organizations, supports programming in Agriculture, Microfinance, Civil Society, Peace Building and Health. In addition to this, as a response to the crisis, CRS/Timor-Leste is managing 5 camps in Dili for people displaced from their homes, leading the coordination in Baucau and distributing in non-food items in Baucau and Viqueque, and has integrated and adapted its regular programming into its activities in the camps.
CRS/Timor-Leste was established as a sub-office of CRS/Indonesia and became an independent country program in June 2000 to better respond to the devastation of the country and to work more efficiently and effectively with our partners and beneficiaries. CRS/Timor-Leste’s goal is to facilitate the development of a nonviolent and just society by strengthening the capacity of communities and institutions to build a peaceful and democratic nation, which highlights good governance and economic recovery as the country realizes its full independence.
CRS has two offices in Timor-Leste: the main office in Dili and a sub-office in Bacau.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency provides assistance to people in 99 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, nationality or creed.
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