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Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

The Government extends its heartfelt condolences on the passing of Father João Felgueiras

The Government of Timor-Leste extends its deepest condolences regarding the passing of Father João Vasconcelos Baptista Felgueiras, S.J., who died today, July 3^rd, in Dili, at the age of 105.

Born in Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal, on June 9^th, 1921, Father João Felgueiras arrived in Timor-Leste in 1971 to serve as vice-rector of the Seminary of the Diocese of Dili. A Jesuit missionary, he dedicated more than half a century to serving the Timorese people. As a Portuguese-language teacher, educator, and missionary, he contributed to the education of successive generations of Timorese and to the preservation and promotion of the Portuguese language, even during the years when its use was prohibited under Indonesian occupation.

After the Indonesian invasion of 1975, he chose to remain in Timor-Leste, despite the personal risks and recommendations to leave the territory, standing with the Timorese people during one of the most difficult periods in their history. His pastoral, educational, and humanitarian mission made an important contribution to preserving national identity and promoting solidarity, human dignity, and hope.

His dedication to education and human development also led to the creation and promotion of initiatives with significant social impact, notably through the Social Charitable Aid Fund of the Society of Jesus (FACSI – acronym in Portuguese) and the Friends of Jesus Community, which enabled the award of scholarships to hundreds of young East Timorese, many of whom went on to assume important roles in government and society. His legacy also lives on in institutions such as the Padre António Vieira Youth Centre and the Amigos de Jesus School, which bear witness to his enduring commitment to educating future generations.

In recognition of his outstanding service to Timor-Leste and its people, he was honoured by the Timorese government with the Insignia of the Order of Timor-Leste in 2009 and, in 2022, with the Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the nation’s highest honour. In 2011, he was also granted Timorese citizenship in recognition of his distinguished and significant service to the country. Portugal likewise honoured his career by awarding him the rank of Grand Officer of the Order of Liberty in 2002 and the Grand Cross of the Order of Camões in 2022. In 2024, during his Apostolic Visit to Timor-Leste, Pope Francis paid him a personal tribute in recognition of his long mission in the service of the Timorese people.

The legacy of Father João Felgueiras will forever be linked to the history of Timor-Leste. His life of service, courage, solidarity, and dedication stands as an example of commitment to education, justice, human dignity, and national development. It will endure in the memory and gratitude of the Timorese people.

Agio Pereira, Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Government Spokesperson, states, “At this time of mourning, the Government extends its deepest condolences to the Society of Jesus, the Catholic Church, his family, friends, former students, and all the people of Timor-Leste. We share in the sorrow of his passing and pay tribute to the memory of a man who made Timor-Leste his homeland—both in mission and in heart.” END

 

Remarks by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Dili, 3 July 2026

Media statement by H. E. the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão
Government Palace, Dili, 3 July 2026

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(only in portuguese)

Encontra-se aberto o concurso para primeiro acesso a Juiz Desembargador do novo Tribunal de Recurso, nos termos da Lei de Organização Judiciária.

Estão abertas nove vagas, incluindo os cinco Juízes que presentemente integram o Tribunal de Recurso, dispondo os candidatos do prazo de 30 dias seguidos, contados a partir do dia seguinte ao da publicação do Aviso no Jornal da República, para se candidatarem.

Para consultar todas as disposições relativas às vagas a concurso, requisitos de candidatura, processo de avaliação, tramitação do procedimento e demais condições aplicáveis, deve ser consultado o Aviso em anexo.

(only in portuguese)

Encontra-se aberto o concurso para primeiro acesso a Juiz do Supremo Tribunal de Justiça, nos termos da Lei de Organização Judiciária.

Estão abertas seis vagas, distribuídas entre Juízes de carreira, Magistratura do Ministério Público e Jurista de mérito, dispondo os candidatos do prazo de 30 dias seguidos, contados a partir do dia seguinte ao da publicação do Aviso no Jornal Oficial, para formalizar a candidatura.

Para consultar todas as disposições relativas às vagas a concurso, requisitos de candidatura, processo de avaliação, tramitação do procedimento e demais condições aplicáveis, deve ser consultado o Aviso em anexo.

On June 30^th, 2026, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, met at the Government Palace in Dili with the Director of Santos in Timor-Leste, José Lobato Gonçalves, accompanied by the company’s Commercial Services Supervisor, Elisabeth Gomes, to discuss investment plans for the Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project and to review a new technical concept for the future of the Bayu-Undan infrastructure. 

During the meeting, the Director of Santos presented a new technical concept, developed following discussions with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. The proposal aims to reconfigure and modernise existing infrastructure to enable the implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) operations while continuing gas production and processing from other fields, thereby extending the use of the Bayu-Undan facilities and enhancing their operational efficiency.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to examine the requirements for implementing this concept, including the regulatory framework for the Carbon Capture and Storage project and the conditions for the continued use of the Bayu-Undan infrastructure.

Located in the Timor Sea, about 250 kilometres southeast of Dili, the Bayu-Undan field began production in 2004. After two decades of operation, commercial oil and gas production ceased in 2025.