Government of Timor-Leste

Presidency of the Council of Ministers

Spokesperson of the Government of Timor-Leste

Ninth Constitutional Government

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Press Release

Day off on September 1st (all day) and on September 10th, 2026 (afternoon), to mark the repatriation of the mortal remains of Catholic prelates who carried out pastoral duties in Timor-Leste

Whereas the history of Timor-Leste is also, and inseparably, a history of faith, spiritual resilience, and communion between a people and their clergy, and the Catholic Church stood alongside the Timorese people during the darkest moments of their collective history, with the prelates who exercised pastoral duties in the country leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the religious sphere, becoming an integral part of national identity itself;

Whereas Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes were buried in Portugal, and Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva was buried in the Maloa-Ailok Laran Cemetery in Dili;

Taking into account that, on September 1^st of this year, the mortal remains of the aforementioned prelates are scheduled to arrive in Timor-Leste, and the Catholic Church, in coordination with the Government, will organise religious ceremonies of tribute;

Whereas Article 7(2)(a) of Law No. 10/2005, of August 10^th, as amended by Law No. 3/2016, of May 25^th, and Law No. 10/2023, of April 5^th, provides that a day off may be granted on the occasion of an official commemorative date;

Given the significance of this historical event for the majority of the national population who profess the Catholic faith;

Taking into account, furthermore, the desire of the State and the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to receive the mortal remains of the aforementioned prelates with the highest possible distinction on September 1^st, 2026;

In order to enable many Catholics to travel to Dili to participate in the major reception ceremony at President Nicolau Lobato International Airport for the mortal remains of Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes;

Taking into account, also, the commemorative celebrations organised by the Catholic Church on September 10^th, in Tasi Tolu, followed by the respective funeral service at Dili Cathedral;

Whereas, pursuant to Article 7(6)(d) of Law No. 10/2005, of August 10^th, as amended by Law No. 3/2016, of May 25^th, and Law No. 10/2023, of April 5^th, it is within the competence of the Prime Minister to grant a day off to “civil servants and agents of ministries or services dependent on them, as well as of institutes and bodies belonging to the indirect administration of the State”;

Thus, pursuant to Article 7(2)(a) and (6)(d) of Law No. 10/2005, of August 10^th, as amended by Law No. 3/2016, of May 25^th, and Law No. 10/2023, of April 5^th, the Prime Minister, through Order No. 12/PM/VIII/2026, hereby determines the following:

1. A day off is granted on the following days:

a) September 1^st, 2026, all day;

b) September 10^th, 2026, from 12:00 pm onwards.

2. This Order applies to all civil servants, agents, and workers performing duties in the services of the direct administration of the State—whether central or decentralised—or in bodies of the indirect administration.

3. Personnel of public services who, due to the nature of their work, must remain operational during that period are exempt from the preceding paragraph.

4. Without prejudice to the continuity and quality of public services to be provided, the senior managers of the services referred to in the preceding paragraph shall grant an equivalent exemption from the duty of attendance to their respective personnel, on a date to be determined in due course. END