SIGNS OF HOPE FOR THE SALESIAN MISSIONARY SISTERS (BRIEF, CHURCH/RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS)
The Salesian Sisters in Dili passed a relatively calm Sunday in their St. Giovanni Bosco community. Sister Paola Battagliola, originally from Manerbio (Brescia), is currently together with American Sister Marlene Bautista and about 80 displaced people, mainly women and children. Despite the critical situation, the sisters are incessantly assisting the displaced. Reassuring reports arrived also from other Timorese communities of the same congregation: Baucau-Venilale, Fuiloro and Laga. Sister Lina Chiandotto, Superior of the Salesian sisters in south-east Asia, told MISNA that members of the international Caritas will return to East Timor tomorrow. The decision of the Indonesian authorities to accept the intervention of an international peace-keeping force was seen favourably by the Timorese Catholic community. "It is really true - commented a missionary - that the Lord listens to the cry of the poor!" (BO)
MISNA - Missionary Service News Agency