ROME, 24 august 2022 (TATOLI) – Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo, accompanied by Fr. Ivo Martins da Silva and the delegation of the National Parliament arrived at Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, in Rome, on wednesday, at 1.25 pm local time.
Archbishop Virgílio, MP Luís Roberto da Silva, MP Maria Angelina Sarmento, MP Lídia Norberta dos Santos, and Regina Freitas welcomed by the Timorese Community in Italy (COMTIL) and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to the Vatican, Juvita Rodrigues.
“So, a warm welcome to Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo and the MPs. We are delighted to receive them here in Rome,” said Ambassador Rodrigues.
At the same place, the Representative of Congregation of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS), Sister Joana Soares said the Timorese community in Rome was enthusiastic to receive Archbishop Virgilio and the MPs with the welcoming fresh flowers.
“Timorese community in Rome, together with Ambassador Rodrigues, we receive our Archbishop Virgilio with love and proud as Timorese people living in Italy,” sister Soares said.
Archbishop Virgilio thanked Ambassador Rodrigues and the Timorese community in the Vatican for their enthusiasm and the warm welcome: “I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Ambassador Rodrigues and COMTIL for their preparation to receive me here in Rome: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation for His great plan for our beloved country Timor-Leste.”
Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva will be elevated as the first cardinal of Timor-Leste in a Papal Consistory to take place on august 27.
Archbishop Virgilio is one of the 21 newly named Cardinals to be elevated on saturday (august 27).
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 27th, 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 31st, 1990. He did his philosophical studies and theology in the Philippines, in Canlubang and Parañaque, respectively. He took his final vows on March 19th, 1997. He received his sacerdotal ordination in Parañaque, in the Philippines, on December 18th, 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 19th, 2016, His Most Reverend Excellency Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Dili and on September 11th, 2019 he was appointed the first Archbishop of Dili
The prelates to take oath on august 27 are:
- Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline, of Marseille (France).
- Archbishop Peter Okpaleke, of Ekwulobia (Nigeria).
- Archbishop Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, of Manaus (Brazil).
- Archbishop Filipe Neri António Sebastião of Rosário Ferrão, of Goa e Damão (India).
- Bishop Robert Walter McElroy, of San Diego (U.S.A.).
- Archbishop Virgilio Do Carmo Da Silva, of Dili (East Timor).
- Bishop Oscar Cantoni, of Como (Italy).
- Archbishop Anthony Poola, of Hyderabad (India).
- Archbishop Paulo Cezar Costa,, of Brasília (Brazil).
- Bishop Richard Kuuia Baawobr M. Afr, of Wa (Ghana).
- Archbishop William Goh Seng Chye, of Singapore (Singapore).
- Archbishop Adalberto Martínez Flores, of Asunción (Paraguay).
- Archbishop Giorgio Marengo, Prefect of Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia).
The five who are over the age of 80 are:
- Archbishop Jorge Enrique Jiménez Carvajal – Archbishop Emeritus of Cartagena (Colombia).
- Archbishop Lucas Van Looy sdb – Archbishop Emeritus of Ghent (Belgium).
- Archbishop Arrigo Miglio – Archbishop Emeritus of Cagliari (Italy).
- Father Gianfranco Ghirlanda sj. – Professor of Theology.
- Monsignor Fortunato Frezza, canon of St. Peter’s.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Nelia Borges
