Government restores Dili Cathedral and hands it over to the church « Government of Tim-Leste

The Timorese government, represented by the Minister of State Administration and interim General Coordinator of the High Authority for the Visit of Pope Francis, Tomas do Rosario Cabral, officially handed over the statue to the Cathedral of Timor-Leste on August 12, 2024. The Immaculate Conception came to the Catholic Church in Vila Verde after a six-month restoration process.

The handover ceremony was attended by Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, who represents the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste. On this occasion, the Cardinal and Prefect Thomas Cabral signed the delivery agreement for the restoration of the cathedral and the residence of the Madre Assosiasi Lembaga Misionaris Awan.

The restoration of the cathedral cost approximately US$533,000, while the work on the Sister Alma residence cost approximately US$286,000. Both interventions were completed in time to welcome Pope Francis to Timor-Leste.

During the ceremony, Minister Tomas Cabral stressed the importance of the project, saying: “Today we officially hand over the supplies that the government has prepared in collaboration with the Catholic Church in anticipation of the Pope’s visit.” The ruler also added that “after the Pope’s visit, a general expenditure report will be submitted to the Council of Ministers and released to the public.”

Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva thanked the government for its generosity and support for the Catholic Church, and stressed that the restoration of the cathedral represents not only a renewal of the physical space, but also a renewal of the faith of the Catholic community in Timor-Leste. “I would like to ask all the faithful to cooperate so that the Pope’s visit will be a moment of grace for all of us. With the Pope’s arrival, we renew our cathedral, and we, the faithful, must renew our hearts and our lives”, the cardinal appealed.

The official handover of the works marked the start of the spiritual activities of the restored cathedral, which began the next morning with a special blessing led by Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva. The Cardinal encouraged parishioners and the community to take care of the new chapel and preserve its beauty for future generations.

The event was attended by various religious and government authorities and representatives of companies involved in the project.