DILI, 27 February 2025 (TATOLI) – The Government of Timor-Leste approved an annual subsidy payment of US$15 million on Feb 26 to the Timorese Bishops’ Conference (CET).
The support was aimed at helping the Church’s social services, which is important to addressing poverty, and reaching out to those in need.
According to the new Framework Agreement between Timor-Leste and the Holy See for the period 2022 to 2027, this support was the fourth financial contribution of US$15 million given by the government to CET.
“This annual subsidy to the Timorese Bishops’ Conference is made under the Concordat signed on 14 August 2015 between Timor-Leste and the Holy See, as well as the Framework Agreement signed on 16 June 2017 between the Government and the CET. These agreements provide for an annual contribution, according to the Government’s financial availability, for the Catholic Church’s social, educational, and ecclesial governance activities,” said in a statement.
Last year, the President of the Timorese Episcopal Conference (CET – Portuguese acronym), Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, said the annual subsidy would be distributed to dioceses of Dili, Baucau, and Maliana in order to strengthen education, social and ecclesial management.
Previously, the outgoing Papal Nuncio to Timor-Leste, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi said that the Vatican is grateful to the Timorese government for this annual contribution.
Of the US$15 million, nearly 40 percent was dedicated to education, 30 percent to social activities, 20 percent to the governance of the Church, and 10 percent to the management of the fund.
TATOLI
