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18 TIMOR SEMINARIANS ARE MISSING Church in Indonesia Shelters Refugees from East Timor

SURABAYA, OCT 1 (ZENIT).- The Catholic Church in Indonesia is preparing to assist and protect refugees from East Timor dispersed all over the archipelago. The Don Bosco Orphanage in Surabaya -- the main city in East Java, run by the Sisters of Charity, has been caring for a group of 50 refugees from East Timor since September 9. Nationalist fever is growing among some sectors of Indonesia's population. Theo Sumardjo, a volunteer who works at the Don Bosco Orphanage, told the international agency "Fides" that, although most of the displaced persons are not directly involved in Timor's political unrest, as refugees they are in danger.

The Sisters are afraid that the people they have sheltered might be targeted by Indonesian nationalists who are opposed to the "invasion" of foreign forces, led by Australia. The refugees knocked on the door of the Don Bosco residence because it is well-known in East Timor, as is the work of many Salesian priests and Sisters. One mother arrived with only three of her six children; the others were lost -- and feared dead -- in the turbulent post-referendum uprisings.

Since August 30, 18 seminarians are missing in Malang, another town in East Java. A group of 23 seminarians went to Timor to vote in the referendum, but only five returned, bringing with them horrifying stories of massacres and all kinds of violence perpetrated by the militias.

The five seminarians who returned are in a state of shock, having seen relatives and companions tortured and killed. One saw his sister being raped; another saw his parents being killed, the Seminary chaplain told "Fides." ZE99100131

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