DILI, 26 august 2022 (TATOLI) – Timorese people considered the elevation of Archbishop Dom Virgilio do Carmo da Silva to the first cardinal of the second-most Catholic country in the whole of Asia after the Philippines was a Blessing from God.
“It’s the first time in Timor-Leste’s history to have a Timorese Archbishop appointed as a cardinal. We thank God for His Grace and Blessing to the people and the church of Timor-Leste,” Fr. Manuel Pinto, the Rector of the Institute of Philosophy of St. Francis de Sales, in Dili, told TATOLI, today.
Fr. Manuel Pinto, the Rector of the Institute of Philosophy of St. Francis de SalesHe said Archbishop Virgilio’s appointment is a blessing from God through Pope Francis: “He assumed a new role as the first cardinal for entire Timorese.”
Fr. Pinto expressed his joy with Archbishop Virgilio’s appointment as cardinal and said: “Of course, all Timorese people, and the church are happy. Therefore, I would like to ask all Timorese people to support Archbishop Virgilio with their prayer.”
“I would like to call on our young Timorese people to stop committing crimes and attacking each other. If we keep killing each other, then we are the ones who will be spoiling this Blessing. As young Catholics, you need to follow the doctrine of the catholic church,” Pinto stressed.
He said the elevation of Archbishop Virgilio will strengthen the faith of the Timorese people.
Archbishop Virgilio’s older brother, Manuel Juscelino do Carmo Da Silva said he was proud and thanked God for choosing one of his brothers to serve the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste and also assist the Holy Father in the task of governing the universal Church.
“Archbishop Dom Virgilio is a hard-worker man since his childhood. He used to look after animals like cows, horses, etc. That’s why he is a real hard-worker pastor,” said Pinto.
João Batista, a community member from the Comoro neighborhood said he was proud and happy at the same time with the elevation of Archbishop Virgilio.
“As a Catholic, I feel joy when receiving the news that our Archbishop Virgilio was nominated among others to be elevated as one of Pope Francis’ cardinals to spread the doctrines of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Ernesto Pinto reiterated that as a young person, he was delighted with Pope’s decision: “I am so happy and it’s a feeling of joy to see our Archbishop Virgilio was chosen to be one of the new cardinals. It’s indeed, a Blessing to the Timorese People from God. This Grace will lead us to live as true Catholics and good citizens.”
Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva will be elevated as the first cardinal of Timor-Leste in a Papal Consistory to take place on 27 August.
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
