Government of Timor-Leste

The Government, through the Civil Society Support Office and represented by the Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino, and the Timorese Episcopal Conference (CET), represented by the CET's Pro-President, Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, formalised the signing of the annual grant agreement, at a ceremony held on March 20^th, 2025, at the Government Palace in Dili. 

This agreement establishes the Government's allocation of a public grant totalling US$15 million for the financial year 2025, aimed at carrying out activities in the areas of education (40%), social (20%), ecclesial governance (20%) and the management of the grant itself (10%). 

At the event, the Vice Prime Minister highlighted the significant role of the Church in developing human capital, particularly in education. He emphasised the Catholic Church's presence in Timor-Leste, noting the colleges spread throughout the country that have trained numerous Timorese leaders and continue to play a vital role in national education. He added that, beyond the religious aspect, the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste fosters a culture that values social action, contributing greatly to societal development. 

Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva said in his speech, “The resources from this subsidy will be invested in projects and actions that aim to meet the needs of many people, especially the neediest”. He also emphasised that “through its social, educational and pastoral works, the Church contributes significantly to building a more just, fraternal and supportive society”. 

The Coordinator of the Civil Society Support Office, Joaquim da Costa Freitas, stated that, according to the 2024 grant execution report, the funds provided by the Government have enabled the financing of approximately 300 projects implemented by CET, including the rehabilitation and construction of school buildings, 280 of which have already been completed. He also mentioned that the money has been used for teacher training and social initiatives.

This agreement is made under the concordat signed on August 14^th, 2015, between the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Holy See, which establishes the legal framework for bilateral relations between the two states, as well as the Framework Agreement signed on June 16^th, 2017, between the Government and CET. These agreements stipulate an annual contribution toward the Catholic Church's social, educational, and ecclesial governance activities based on the Government's financial availability. The amount and modalities of the grant are determined annually by specific agreements between the Government and the Timorese Episcopal Conference.

The CET President, the Bishop of the Diocese of Maliana, Dom Norberto do Amaral, the CET Vice-President and the Bishop of the Diocese of Baucau, Dom Leandro Maria Alves, attended the ceremony.