ÉVORA, PORTUGAL, 18 August 2026 – The Catholic Church in Portugal officially handed over the remains of three Catholic prelates — Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro, and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes — to the Government and the Catholic Church of Timor-Leste during a ceremony held at the Cathedral of Évora.
The handover ceremony took place during a Eucharistic Mass of Thanksgiving, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal, Archbishop Andrés Carrascosa Coso, and concelebrated by the Bishop of the Diocese of Baucau, Bishop Leandro Maria Alves, together with Portuguese bishops and other priests.
The celebration aimed to honour and give thanks for the work, service and spiritual legacy of the three Catholic prelates before their remains began their journey back to Timor-Leste, the land where they dedicated their lives to the people and the Church.
“A Return Home”
The Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal, Archbishop Andrés Carrascosa Coso, said that the return of the remains of the three prelates to Timor-Leste was not merely a transfer, but represented a “return home” to the Church and the people whom they served throughout their lives.
“The return of the remains of the three prelates is not merely a transfer, but a return home, to the Church and the people whom they served throughout their lives,” he said.
Archbishop Andrés Carrascosa emphasised that the three prelates are now returning to the Church of Timor-Leste, which they helped to build, strengthen and develop throughout their ministry.
According to the Apostolic Nuncio, the memory and legacy of the three prelates should become a responsibility for present and future generations, encouraging them to continue carrying out the mission and service of the Church in Timor-Leste.
The Apostolic Nuncio also recognised the important contribution of the three prelates to strengthening the Catholic faith and the life of the Church in Timor-Leste.
Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart played an important role in the Diocese of Dili, while Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro made a significant contribution to strengthening pastoral life. Meanwhile, Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes carried out his ministry during one of the most difficult periods in the history of Timor-Leste, particularly during the Indonesian occupation.
The Church During the Struggle and Suffering of the People
The Apostolic Nuncio also stated that, during the struggle for independence and the periods of suffering experienced by the people of Timor-Leste, the Catholic Church served as a space for prayer and consolation, while also playing a role in defending and protecting the dignity of the people.
According to the Nuncio, the Church continued to offer hope to the people, helping them to endure suffering, persevere in life and not lose hope.
Archbishop Andrés Carrascosa said that Timor-Leste is now an independent country and needs to continue strengthening peace, stability and security.
According to the Nuncio, reconciliation does not mean forgetting the past, but rather constitutes a process of purifying memory in the light of the Gospel, enabling people to look towards the future with hope and responsibility.
Government of Timor-Leste Expresses Gratitude to the Catholic Church in Portugal
During the ceremony, the Minister of Planning and Strategic Investment, Gastão Francisco de Sousa, as a member of the Organising Committee and representative of the Government of Timor-Leste, expressed his gratitude to the Catholic Church in Portugal for providing the Government of Timor-Leste with the opportunity to participate in the Eucharistic Mass of Thanksgiving.
The Minister highlighted the importance of the celebration as a moment of remembrance and recognition of the three Catholic prelates, whose contributions were significant to the history of the people and the State of Timor-Leste.
Appreciation for the Catholic Church in Portugal
Meanwhile, the Bishop of the Diocese of Baucau, Bishop Leandro Maria Alves, expressed his gratitude to the Catholic Church and the Catholic community of Portugal for their support to the people of Timor-Leste over the years.
He particularly highlighted the contribution of the Catholic Church in Portugal to the development of human resources and the strengthening of the Catholic faith in Timor-Leste.
Bishop Leandro also stated that the Government of Timor-Leste and the Catholic Church would transport the coffins containing the remains of the three Catholic prelates back to Timor-Leste.
The return of the remains of the three prelates represents a historic moment for the Church and the people of Timor-Leste, providing present generations with an opportunity to remember the service, sacrifice and spiritual legacy of the three prelates in the process of evangelisation and the development of the Catholic Church in Timor-Leste.
The remains of Bishop Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop José Joaquim Ribeiro and Monsignor Martinho da Costa Lopes will continue their journey to Timor-Leste, where they will find their final resting place in the land to which they dedicated their lives in service of the people and the Church.
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