DILI, 21 December 2019 (TATOLI) — President Francisco Guterres Lú Olo said “love” and “respect” for one another should be the message for all Timorese this Christmas, according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The president made the remarks as he hosted family, staff and members of the clergy at a special dinner at the Presidential Palace last night.
“[Just as] we celebrate together the holiday of Idul Fitri and Idul Adha (Ramadan), thus at Christmas we celebrate together the day Christ is born,” he said.
“We reaffirm our identity as Christians on Christmas with the key value of loving each other, as has been taught by Jesus Christ,” the president said during the Christmas celebration.
The president said the “big family” from the Office of President is celebrating Christmas with harmony, loving, peace and tolerance.
He asked to everyone to reflect on what has happened in 2019, and to dream of what will happen in 2020.
The national leader said that 2019 saw some important historical events: the 20 year anniversary of Timor’s Independence referendum, and the 30 year anniversary of an historic visit to the country by Pope John Paul II.
“We believe that Pope [Francis] will also come and visit our free and independent country,” he said.
A new year, a new beginning
President Lú Olo told his audience there are many things he promised for this year, but cannot deliver. But, he said the new year will provide him an opportunity to renew and reaffirm his Christian identity, because Timorese want to live their life in peace and stability.
“My message to all of us is to reflect on what we should do to implementing all the values of Christian identity that has shown to us such as: communication, combatting poverty in our nation, and rethinking about [the kind of] development that we want for our nation. Development that focusses more on people as humans and citizens,” he said.
Christmas is a party for the family, he said, and family is the first place to instill values from parents to their children, from grandparents to grandchildren and from sibling to sibling.
“I, and my Family, wish Happy Christmas to you and each of your families! [One] full of love and happiness,” he said.
Thankyou for your service
During the celebrations, President Lú Olo acknowledge the efforts of some special employees during 2019.
The president honoured five employees with certificates of recognition for their good work, including two who have retired.
And he also thanked the businessmen who helped all the fire victims in Ermera district, Quelecai and other places.
The Christmas party that celebrate by the president and his wife together with Archbishop of the Dili Metropolitan Archdiocese, Don Vergílio do Carmo da Silva Belo, local members of the Don Bosco charity, and members of his personal staff.
Journalist: Cipriano Colo
Editors: Xisto Freitas; Robert Baird
Translation: Nelia Borges
