DILI, 19 May 2025 (TATOLI) – Timor-Leste has awarded the Most Reverend Father Domingos da Silva Soares “Maubere”, by assigning him, posthumously, the order of Nicolau Lobato.
The ceremony of recognition of his role in the struggle for National Liberation took place during a solemn mass on Monday, 19 May 2025, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, in Dili.
The memorial mass was presided over by Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva and attended by tens of thousands of Catholics, including national and religious leaders, government officials, and members of the National Parliament.
The President of the Republic, José Ramos-Horta, proceeded to present the award, first placing the medal in the hands of a family member of Fr. Maubere, after which the medal was handed to Cardinal Silva to be placed on Maubere’s coffin.
Horta paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Fr. Domingos Soares Maubere, recognizing his pivotal role in Timor-Leste’s struggle for independence and decades of spiritual and civic leadership. “Today, on behalf of the People of Timor-Leste and in my personal capacity, I pay him tribute with reverence and affection. We thank him for everything: for the homilies that awakened us, for the denunciations that unsettled us, for the embraces that comforted us, for the advice that guided us, and for the prayers that sustained us.”
Horta recalled Fr. Maubere’s instrumental role in organizing the historic 1998 Meeting of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) in Peniche, Portugal — a crucial step in uniting Timorese resistance during the occupation. “At that time, when hope was still clandestine, Amu Du helped to ignite the flame of unity, with the same courage with which he celebrated mass in times of fear or came to the aid of those suffering in silence.”
“From his priestly ordination in the Cathedral of Braga in 1978 to his final days here at the Parish of Becora, Priest Domingos followed a path of generous service, silent evangelization, and tireless commitment. He lived, as he once wrote, “with much pain, many challenges, but also with much joy,” in fidelity to his covenant with the God of Love.
“His word was firm, but his heart was merciful. His presence among us was a testimony of lived faith, shared humanity, and total service. He shaped generations, inspired vocations, touched lives. His name will remain engraved in the hearts of Timorese faithful as a symbol of Christian authenticity, of committed citizenship, and of unconditional love for his people.”
Fr. Maubere passed away on Friday, 15 May 2025, at the age of 73, at Guido Valadares National Hospital (HNGV), after being hospitalized for more than a week.
“Maubere’s body was laid to rest on Monday, 19 May 2025, at the Catholic Priests’ Cemetery in Maloa, Ailok Laran, Dili.
He was born on May 12, 1952, in Ermera Municipality, where he grew up in a farming family.
Maubere was ordained as a priest in Portugal in 1978 and returned to Timor in 1980, where he first served as parish priest in Ossu, Viqueque Municipality.
In 1983, he was placed under house arrest by Indonesian authorities. Four years later, in 1987, he was relocated to Dili, where he continued his underground resistance work, maintaining contact with leaders Xanana Gusmão and Konis Santana and supporting guerrilla fighters.
In 1997, under growing pressure from Indonesian authorities, Father Maubere was once again forced into exile. During this time, he helped organize the founding congress of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) in Portugal. After returning to Timor-Leste, he served as the CNRT coordinator in Dili.
He also endured the turbulent period surrounding the 1999 independence referendum. To escape militia violence, Maubere fled to the mountains, making the arduous journey to Mount Ramelau, where he sought refuge and solace in prayer.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
