Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Eighth Constitutional Government

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Dili, May 30th, 2022

Press Release

Government congratulates Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva on his elevation to Cardinal

The 8th Constitutional Government expresses congratulations on the decision by Pope Francis to appoint the current Archbishop of Dili, His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, as the first Cardinal in Timor-Leste.

This decision was announced yesterday, May 29^th, by Pope Francis, at the end of the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square. The elevation ceremony of the first Timorese Cardinal and the other new Cardinals, also appointed yesterday, will take place this coming August 27^th.

Cardinals are members of the College of Cardinals, an advisory body to the Pope, whose duty is to assist him in the governance of the Catholic Church.

His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, son of José do Carmo and Isabel da Silva was born in Venilale on November 27^th, 1968. He made his aspirancy, pre-Seminary, in Fatumaca in 1983. He entered the novitiate, also in Fatumaca, in the year 1989-1990. He took his first vows on May 31^st, 1990. He did his philosophical studies and theology in the Philippines, in Canlubang and Parañaque, respectively. He took his final vows on March 19^th, 1997. He received his sacerdotal ordination in Parañaque, in the Philippines, on December 18^th, 1998. He was then assigned to the Salesian house in Venilale as bursar and vicar. In 2005, he was sent to Rome where he studied Spiritual Theology at the Salesian Pontifical University. Upon his return to Timor-Leste, he was appointed Master of Novices and Director of Fatumaca House, positions he held from 2008 until January 2014, when he took over as Provincial Superior.

On March 19^th, 2016, His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dili and on September 11^th, 2019 he was appointed the first Archbishop of Dili.

The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Fidelis Manuel Leite Magalhães, on behalf of the 8th Constitutional Government, congratulated, today, by phone, His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva and also the representative of the Vatican in Timor-Leste, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, for this so honourable distinction, that represents an enormous pride for all Timorese people and that constitutes a deserved recognition of his work and his human qualities. END