Mortal remains of three Catholic prelates arrive in Timor-Leste
DÍLI, 01 September 2026 (TATOLI) — The mortal remains of three prominent Catholic Church leaders — Dom Jaime Garcia Goulart, Dom José Joaquim Ribeiro and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes — arrived in Timor-Leste on Tuesday from Portugal, with a stopover in Bali, Indonesia.
The Aero Dili aircraft carrying their coffins landed at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Díli at 1:42 p.m., marking the return of three figures whose lives and service were closely connected to the history of the Catholic Church and Timor-Leste.
Thousands of people gathered along the route from the President Nicolau Lobato Roundabout to the airport from early morning to pay their respects and witness the arrival and funeral procession.
By about 10 a.m., students, members of church choirs, nuns, priests, scouts and Catholic faithful had begun lining the planned route.
Many wore clothing prepared by the government and the Church, while others carried or wore symbols associated with Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Timor-Leste in September 2024.
Despite rising temperatures as midday approached, the crowds remained along the roads, waiting for the aircraft carrying the three Church leaders.
A cultural group from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish (PICOMA) in Maubisse also prepared a traditional welcome ceremony in their honour.
Government officials, members of Parliament, senior military officers, Church leaders and political figures gathered at the airport for the official reception.
When the aircraft touched down at 1:42 p.m., the three coffins were received with full state and Church honours.
Minister of State Administration Tomás do Rosário Cabral led the state delegation receiving the remains. Secretary of State for Social Communication Expedito Dias Ximenes was also present, along with journalists covering the historic occasion.
The national flag, bearing the colours red, black, yellow and white, was placed over each coffin as a symbol of national honour and respect.
Eleven members of the Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste (PNTL) and the F-FDTL carried the coffins from the aircraft to the VVIP terminal.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Díli Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva accompanied the procession.
President José Ramos-Horta, the bishops of Baucau and Maliana, former prime minister Mari Alkatiri, Lieutenant General Lere Anan Timur, representatives of the Holy See in Timor-Leste, senior government officials and other Church leaders waited at the terminal.
The three Catholic leaders spent much of their lives serving the Church and the people of Timor-Leste.
Their return to the country is not for pastoral service, as it was during their lifetimes, but to receive a final tribute from the state, the Church and the people they served.
Their arrival marks the beginning of a series of commemorative and funeral ceremonies in Timor-Leste to honour three Church leaders whose lives became closely intertwined with the country’s religious and national history.
Journalist: Cidalia Fátima
Editor: Armandina Moniz
Translation: Filomeno Martins
