DILI, 26 March 2026 (TATOLI) — The government has approved a US$15 million annual grant to the Timorese Episcopal Conference (CET) for 2026.
The grant was approves during the meeting of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday following a proposal presented by Vice Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs, Mariano Assanami Sabino, who also serves as minister of Rural Development and Community Housing.
The funding will be disbursed in 2026 as part of the government’s annual contribution to the Catholic Church’s activities in Timor-Leste.
This annual grant to the Timorese Episcopal Conference is provided under the agreement signed on August 14th, 2015 between Timor-Leste and the Holy See, as well as the Framework Agreement signed on June 16th, 2017 between the Government and the CET, which stipulate an annual contribution, subject to the Government’s financial capacity, for the social, educational, and ecclesiastical governance activities of the Catholic Church.
The Catholic Church plays a significant role in Timor-Leste, particularly in education and community services across the country.
TATOLI
