The Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and the Timorese Episcopal Conference will hold, in September 2026, official ceremonies to honour Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, and Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva, in recognition of their pastoral dedication and the invaluable contribution they made to the Timorese people, whose memory will continue to inspire present and future generations.

Under the theme “Portraits of Faith and Eternal Memory of the Church and of Timor-Leste – CELEBRATING THE LEGACY AND SACRIFICE OF OUR BELOVED PRELATES”, the ceremonies mark the return to Timor-Leste of the mortal remains of Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes, which will join those of Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva. This occasion serves as a moment of tribute and recognition of the spiritual, historical, and national legacy of these four prelates.

The official programme will feature, as its main events, the ceremony to receive the mortal remains on September 1st, 2026, at President Nicolau Lobato International Airport, followed by the procession to Tasi Tolu; the tribute to Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes on September 3rd, 2026, in Manatuto, which includes naming the Manatuto Bridge in his honour; and, on September 10th, 2026, in Tasi Tolu and at Dili Cathedral, the Memorial Mass and the closing and burial ceremonies for the mortal remains of the four prelates.

PROGRAMME

SEPTEMBER 1st, 2026 – ARRIVAL OF THE PRELATES’ MORTAL REMAINS IN TIMOR-LESTE – PRESIDENT NICOLAU LOBATO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DILI

1:30 pm – Arrival of the prelates’ mortal remains at President Nicolau Lobato International Airport.
1:55 pm – The Government’s Organising Committee and the Military Honour Guard await the transport of the prelates’ mortal remains to the ceremony venue.
2:00 pm – Signing of the handover agreement for the mortal remains of the prelates between the Government’s Organising Committee and the Timorese Episcopal Conference.
2:05 pm – Brief remarks by representatives of the Government’s Organising Committee and the Timorese Episcopal Conference.
2:15 pm – Transport of the mortal remains of the prelates from President Nicolau Lobato International Airport to the Tasi Tolu esplanade.

SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2026 – TRIBUTE TO MONSIGNOR MARTINHO DA COSTA LOPES – MANATUTO

9:00 am – Arrival of guests at the ceremony venue.
9:30 am – Departure of the mortal remains of Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes from Laleia to Manatuto.
10:00 am – Stop at Manatuto Bridge, during the journey between Laleia and the Manatuto Parish Church.
10:10 am – Presentation of a memento from the people of Manatuto to the President of the Timorese Episcopal Conference.
10:15 am – Reading of the Government Resolution.
10:20 am – Address by His Excellency the President of the Republic.
10:50 am – Unveiling of the commemorative plaque designating the Manatuto Bridge as the “Mons. Martinho da Costa Lopes Bridge”, followed by the blessing of the bridge by the Archbishop of Dili.
11:00 am – Reception for guests at the “Ulfa Ikero” Hall.

SEPTEMBER 10th, 2026 – CLOSING CEREMONIES FOR THE REPATRIATION OF THE PRELATES’ MORTAL REMAINS IN TASI TOLU

5:00 pm – Holy Mass presided over by His Eminence Virgílio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva, SDB, Metropolitan Archbishop of Dili and President of the Timorese Episcopal Conference.

Following the Holy Mass:
• Reading of the order by His Most Reverend Excellency the Secretary-General of the Timorese Episcopal Conference;
• Remarks by His Most Reverend Excellency the Pro-President of the Timorese Episcopal Conference;
• Remarks by His Excellency the President of the Republic.

Following the final blessing at Tasi Tolu:
• Burial ceremony for the mortal remains of the late prelates at Dili Cathedral;
• Visit to the Memorial Monument and Garden on the grounds of Dili Cathedral.