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BOBINARO I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a little about the Parish of Santa Crux, Maliana, which is in the Bobinaro district, East Timor.
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The Bobinaro District is on the boarder between East and West Timor. It suffered the most destruction of all areas and districts in East Timor.  Because of the great difficulties trying to communicate with East Timor.   In May/June I went to there with Deacon Gary Stone and Mr Peter de Haas to visit 3 of the pharishes in the Bobinaro district.   We spent some time with the Parish Priests to build a relationship with them and to try to find out what they needed in their Parish to begin reconstruction. The town of Maliana is about 15 minutes from the border with West Timor.  The entire town was sacked by the militias during the reign of terror last year after the referendum. According to the UN the town was completely destroyed.  The only buildings that were not stripped were the church, presbytery and a local gymnasium, nothing else was spared. Approximately 55 people were massacred in the police station.  Most of them were the local leaders and their families.  Most of the population was forced into exile in West Timor, about 40% still remain there, some by choice, some against their will.