Afonsu Gomes, father of Sebastiao Gomes, killed by Indonesian forces in 1991, and the catalyst to the 12 November Massacre in Dili in 1991, expressed his disappointment with present day Timorese youth, because the youth just wants to kill each other and their interests are much different compared to those youths, like his son, who fought for independence during the years of struggle for independence.
“Youths today love to kill each other using swords,” said Mr. Gomes. “Today youths’ spirit is different from the previous youths.”
He added that during the Indonesian occupation youths from east to west of the country only had one purpose; how to liberate the nation from Indonesia’s occupation, even if they had to die for it.
He said as a father he is still upset at losing his precious son so early but he feels his son at least did not die in vain.
Sebastião da Costa alias Lacu-Uai was shot dead by Indonesian Military soldiers on 28 October 1991 in front of the Motael Church, in Dili.
Mr. Gomes urged all youth to be united and get educated because Timor needs intelligent people.
“You should study to be intelligent not just follow other people who drink alcohol and carry swords and stones. That is bad,” he added.
Meanwhile the Bishop of the Dili Diocese, Dom Alberto Ricardo da Silva, during a mass celebrating the youth held at Motael Church, said mankind has suffered greatly every time there is a struggle.
He said also every year Timorese celebrate Santa Cruz Massacre Day on 12 November and attend mass at Motael Church to celebrate the heroes.
“The Santa Cruz Massacre is an important day for Timor-Leste, written with the blood of Timorese young women and men,” said Bishop da Silva.
The Bishop retold the events that unfolded before the Santa Cruz Massacre in 1991. He said early in the morning of 12 November 1991 thousands of young women and men gathered at Motael church for a mass in memory of slain youth Sebastiao da Costa Gomes.
The mass was intended to begin earlier that morning but postponed to 7 a.m. because many youths were awaiting to confess. The mass also had to be held outside the church because of the large number of people attending.
“We should pray to God to help our nation, our leaders and all people, from little children to youths, teachers, students, nurses, doctors, patients and prisoners in jail, security guards and soldiers, salesmen and scientists to help one another, and progress in unity.”
Meanwhile, Jorge Duarte Gomes Belo, cousin of Sebastião da Costa Gomes, urged the government to speed up and build a monument for the 12 November 1991 victims who sacrificed their lives for independence.
