Young people and community members participate in a 2-day camp to discuss how to promote peace in their homes, communities, and country. Photo by Jennifer Hardy/CRS

East Timor, the world’s second-youngest country, experienced violence during elections in 2007. Now, with election season in full swing, CRS is supporting the Church’s efforts to promote a peaceful and fair election process. Darren Hercyk filed this report from the capital city of Dili.

As we approached the second round of the East Timor presidential election this week, we were not sure what to expect. There were reports of tensions rising and that the election would be too close to call. In the closing days there were large truckloads of supporters on the streets chanting for their candidate. None of this added to a festive spirit of the elections, it just seemed to add to the tension.

Following East Timor’s independence from Indonesia in 2002, the country has faced difficulties with conflict among neighbors and groups. CRS and Church leaders in East Timor launched 111 days of prayer for peace in February 2012. Photo by Jennifer Hardy/CRS

Voting began at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, April 19, and most everything in the city was scheduled to be closed. Due to all the uncertainties of the day, the CRS offices in Dili and Baucau were also closed. As I traveled the streets of the capital Dili on election day, there was almost no one outside. At first this seemed eerie, but as the day passed, there were only reports of organized, peaceful voting. My eerie feeling was eventually replaced by calm and I enjoyed the rest of the sunshine-filled day like everyone else.

In the early evening, the preliminary results were announced and it was clear the Timorese selected their next president by a wide margin. As I called staff in different locations, there were no reports of violence. They were relieved that even the most volatile locations in Timor-Leste appeared to accept the results. Like the first round of voting, the integrity of the voting process was not in question.

Peacebuilding technical advisor Lili Amaral leads an activity for young people reflecting on peace at the Comoro/Haslaran Conossian School in East Timor. Photo by Jennifer Hardy/CRS

When we opened our Dili office on Tuesday morning, all staff met for a staff safety and security meeting to discuss the elections and look ahead. Our Timorese staff were clearly pleased with the election process even though it’s likely some of them supported the second-place candidate. At the end of the meeting, our Timorese staff gave their young nation a round of applause for what it had just accomplished. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also congratulated the Timorese people by saying “The peaceful and orderly manner in which the people of Timor-Leste exercised their right to vote, reflects once again their commitment to stability, democracy and national unity.”

At CRS, we were pleased to play an active role in the elections with the 111 Days of Prayer for a Peaceful and Democratic Election program. This program promoted peaceful messages and education at all levels of the church, through the parishes, in schools, through youth camps, and through the media. This week we received many votes of thanks for our role in the elections to date.

The parliamentary elections are scheduled for July 7 and CRS will continue to work with the Church to promote peace through the 111 Days of Prayer for a Peaceful and Democratic Election program.

Darren Hercyk is country representative for CRS in Timor-Leste. He was most recently country representative in Sudan where he oversaw CRS’ participation in the 101 Days of Prayer for a peaceful referendum in 2011.

Thank you, Lord, for always releasing your amazing power to grow love in surprising and unexpected ways.

Thank you, Lord, for always working to lift people from despair in the midst of great struggle.

Let us pray for grateful hearts, for eyes that see beyond our problems, for ears that listen for the voice of God.

Let us continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka, that God blesses and strengthens them as they rebuild their lives.

Thank you, Lord, for providing for us always: for our food, our homes, our family and friends, for our Church and all the love you lavish on us.

Thank you, Lord, for people who bring the gift of health.

Let us pray for the people of Kenya and their continued peacebuilding progress.

Let us rejoice and give thanks to God for the tremendous recovery work that followed the 2004 tsunami and the lessons it taught those who helped restore communities.

Let us pray that God continues to inspire us to help women overcome withering odds to start businesses and learn skills that help them succeed.

Let us pray for the people of Nicaragua and El Salvador as they recover from deadly Hurricane Ida.

Philippines: The recovery phase of a shocking disaster lacks the drama that draws world attention. Let us pray that our brothers and sisters in the Pacific Rim are not forgotten in the months to come.

Pacific Rim: Earthquakes and tsunamis exacted a terrible toll on life and property. Let us pray that God extends His grace to the people of these Pacific islands.

India: Following prolonged drought, flooding hit southern India and drove millions from their homes. Let us pray that our brothers and sisters in India receive the help they need to recover quickly.

Caritas: We thank God every day for our beloved partner Caritas Internationalis. They are so often the hands with which we reach out to the world.

Government: Let us pray that God grants government leaders the wisdom and fortitude to tackle the world’s challenges with integrity and insight.

Philippines: The recovery phase of a shocking disaster lacks the drama that draws world attention. Let us pray that our brothers and sisters in the Pacific Rim are not forgotten in the months to come.

Pacific Rim: Earthquakes and tsunamis exacted a terrible toll on life and property. Let us pray that God extends His grace to the people of these Pacific islands.

India: Following prolonged drought, flooding hit southern India and drove millions from their homes. Let us pray that our brothers and sisters in India receive the help they need to recover quickly.

Caritas: We thank God every day for our beloved partner Caritas Internationalis. They are so often the hands with which we reach out to the world.

Government: Let us pray that God grants government leaders the wisdom and fortitude to tackle the world’s challenges with integrity and insight.

Storms: Typhoon Ketsana dropped a month’s worth of monsoon rainfall in 12 hours on the Philippines. One week later, another storm hit. Let us pray that the needs of our brothers and sisters are met with grace and compassion.

Earthquakes and Tsunamis: For lives lost and the families who grieve, let us pray for the people of Sumatra and Samoa as they begin their slow recovery from the destructive forces of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Prayer: Times of emergencies often prompt prayer. We are especially grateful to God for all those who join in prayer for the Church’s work during times of crisis.

Service: We thank God for servants like Walter Blake, who for 26 years has been working with CRS for a just and peaceful world.

Simple tools: Let us pray that we are often reminded how much good can be done with simple tools and God-given ingenuity.

Philippines Typhoon: Hundreds of thousands of people lost everything to Typhoon Ketsana when it struck the Philippines Saturday. Let us pray that God protects our brothers and sisters there, especially as they brace for another storm.

Fair Trade: We thank God for longtime CRS Fair Trade crafts partner SERRV, celebrating its 60^th anniversary. SERRV is a leader in helping artisans eradicate poverty in their communities.

Children with HIV: Let us pray that God continues to reveal symbols of courage in the face of adversity. We ask for mercy and understanding to deal effectively with children with HIV.

Thanksgiving: Join us in thanking our Father for continuing to extend his protection to our staff working in some of the most dangerous parts of the world.

Gangs: Children of Guatemala face extraordinary pressure to join gangs and surrender to violent lives. Let us pray God grants us the wisdom and compassion to continue rescuing these children.

Afghanistan: Thank you Lord that even in the harshest environments, you give us the capacity to find ways to bring food from the earth.

Two by two: Thank you Lord for sending priests whose words can inspire us to great deeds of love.

Creativity: We pray that we learn to use our God-given gifts of humor and drama to teach others important, even life-saving lessons.

Food Fast: We pray that our children continue to learn the importance of self-sacrifice as they identify with the poor of the world.

Democratic Republic of Congo: We pray that God would continue to protect the people of Ngungu and allow us to work with them survive ongoing conflict that drove many from their homes.

Disaster response: Natural disasters focus our attention on our brothers and sisters like few other events. We pray that many are spared these traumas during this season, and that God equips Catholic Relief Services with willing and able hearts and hands when disaster strikes.

Zimbabwe: We pray for the orphans of Zimbabwe, that God grants them strength and direction as they navigate their lives without the support of parents.

Mexico Farmland: Thank you, Lord, for resilience, and for raising damaged land back to productivity.

Typhoon Morakot: We pray that the people of Taiwan whose lives were threatened and disrupted by this storm will recover quickly. And we thank God for the Daughters of Charity.

Sudan: Sometimes the people you [ds1] help come up with the[ds2] best prayers of thanksgiving.

[ds2]“their own”?

Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth): Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical is a rich mine of guidance and reminders of Catholics’ role on the world stage. Please pray that we learn and apply its lessons.

Displaced in Pakistan: Fighting in the Swat Valley displaced 3 million people. Some have returned home, others remain tired, hungry and disoriented, living in cramped conditions. Please pray for comfort and continued supplies.

Darfur students: Among the many hardships Darfur refugees face, one that threatens their future most is lack of schooling. Pray that we can keep classes open and filled.

Orphaned by AIDS: Please pray that God allows us to continue to serve this most vulnerable and innocent population, and that He reminds us that under Him , they are our children, sisters and brothers.

Thanksgiving: Join us in thanking our Father for continuing to extend his protection to our staff working in some of the most dangerous parts of the world.