Dili, September 7, 2026 (Media Democracia) – President of the Court of Appeal, Afonso Carmona, together with Appellate Judges from the Court of Appeal, Judges from the District Courts of First Instance of Dili, Baucau, Suai and Oe-Cusse, including staff, paid final homage to the mortal remains of the Four Prelates in Tasi-Tolu, Dili.
The Four Prelates whose mortal remains were brought to Timor-Leste are Bishop Dom Jaime Garcia Goulart, Bishop Dom Joaquim Ribeiro, Monsignor Martinho da Silva Lopes and Bishop Dom Alberto Ricardo da Silva.
After paying homage, the President of the Court of Appeal, Afonso Carmona, said that he, together with the judges and staff, came to Tasi-Tolu to pay homage to the Four Prelates who are considered important figures in the history of Timor-Leste.
”Today we, together with the judges and staff, came to pay homage to our bishops’ mortal remains here. We consider them to be bishops who made our country a holy land. I believe that these four are already saints.” said Afonso Carmona to journalists after paying homage to the mortal remains of the Four Prelates in Tasi-Tolu.
He said that the Four Prelates, especially the Three Prelates who carried out their mission in Timor-Leste, made a great contribution to the struggle and development of the Timorese people, including the process that led the nation to independence.
For that reason, he considers it important that the people of Timor-Leste pay homage and value their struggle and contribution, by giving them honor and prayers, so that their souls may find a place in God’s Kingdom.
On another note, the President of the Organizing Committee, Father Guilhermino da Silva, said that since the mortal remains of the Four Prelates arrived in Timor-Leste, the committee has given the opportunity to entities in the country, including the President of the Republic, the President of the National Parliament, the Government, the Court of Appeal and staff, to pay homage to the Prelates.
“Today we began paying homage to the Prelates at the Tasi-Tolu Chapel. Members of the sovereign organs came today to pay homage, because since the Prelates’ mortal remains arrived in Timor-Leste on September 2, the remains have not yet been complete in one place.” explained Father Guilhermino.
He added that in recent days, the mortal remains of Monsignor Martinho Lopes were taken to visit Manatutu and Laleia for two days, while the mortal remains of Dom Jaime Garcia Goulart were also taken to visit INSFIT Fatumeta. Because of this, the Four Prelates had not yet all been together in Tasi-Tolu.
“Because today the Prelates’ mortal remains are all together here again, the committee authorizes the sovereign organs to come pay homage to the Prelates.” he concluded.
Coverage Team – Media Democracia