Virgílio do Carmo da Silva
Stored: Virgílio do Carmo da Silva
| His Eminence Virgílio do Carmo da Silva | |
| Bishop of Archdiocese of Díli | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Baucau |
| Other diocese 1: | |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 18 December 1998 by Archbishop Peter Turang |
| Consecration: | 19 March 2016 by Archbishop Joseph Marino |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 27 August 2022 by Pope Francis |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Virgílio do Carmo da Silva 27 November 1967 Venilale, Baucau, Portuguese Timor |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | East Timor |
| Education: | Salesian Pontifical University |
| Motto: | "Ave Maria Puríssima" (Hail Mary Most Pure) |
| Role: | Diocesan |
| Theology: | Progressive |
| Region: | Asia |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B., born on 27 November 1967, is an East Timorese prelate of the Catholic Church, serving as the Archbishop of Díli since 2019 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022.[1] Born in Venilale, East Timor, he joined the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1990, was ordained a priest in 1998, and appointed Bishop of Díli in 2016, becoming the first archbishop when the diocese was elevated.[2] Known for his progressive theology, da Silva emphasizes education, youth formation, and reconciliation, notably easing tensions with Indonesia post-independence.[3] As East Timor’s first cardinal, his elevation marked a historic recognition of the country’s Catholic majority.[4]
Da Silva’s ministry includes promoting religious tourism, inaugurating East Timor’s first Catholic university in 2021, and advocating for human fraternity, inspired by Pope Francis’ 2019 Document on Human Fraternity.[3] He played a key role during Pope Francis’ 2024 visit to East Timor, describing it as a “celebration of faith.”[3] As a member of the Dicastery for Evangelization since 2022, he focuses on youth and education in a nation with a young population (average age 20.8 in 2020).[2] Eligible for the 2025 papal conclave, da Silva is noted for his youth (age 57) and Asian representation, though papabile speculation lacks primary confirmation.[5] Following Pope Francis’ death in April 2025, da Silva continues to lead Díli’s Catholics, fostering peace and faith formation.[6]post:0–5
Biography
Birth and early life
Virgílio do Carmo da Silva was born on 27 November 1967 in Venilale, Baucau District, Portuguese Timor (now East Timor), to José do Carmo and Isabel da Silva.[1] His younger brother, Gui do Carmo da Silva, is also a Salesian priest, and his brother José Lucas do Carmo da Silva is a politician and academic.[7] He attended Salesian primary and secondary schools in Fatumaca, Baucau District, where his vocational calling emerged.[2]
Growing up during Portuguese colonial rule and Indonesia’s occupation, da Silva’s early life shaped his commitment to reconciliation and education in post-independence East Timor.[3] His Salesian education instilled a focus on youth and faith formation.[4]
Education
Da Silva entered the Salesians of Don Bosco on 31 May 1990, studying philosophy in Canlubang and theology in Parañaque, Philippines.[4] He earned a licentiate in spirituality from the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome (2005–2007).[2] He made his first profession on 31 May 1990, perpetual profession on 19 March 1997, and was ordained a priest on 18 December 1998 by Archbishop Peter Turang.[1]
His academic roles included novice master and director of Salesian institutions, equipping him for educational leadership in East Timor.[3] His studies in spirituality shaped his pastoral approach to youth and reconciliation.[2]
Priesthood
Ordained for the Salesians of Don Bosco in 1998, da Silva served as a formator of aspirants (1999–2002), bursar and parish vicar in Venilale (2002–2005), novice master (1999–2004, 2007–2014), and director of the Salesian House and Don Bosco Technical High School in Fatumaca (2009–2014).[2] In 2015, he became provincial superior of the Salesians in East Timor and Indonesia.[4]
His priesthood focused on education and youth formation, notably at Fatumaca’s technical school, preparing him for episcopal leadership in a young nation.[3] Da Silva’s multilingual skills (Tetum, Portuguese, English, Italian) enhanced his outreach.[3]
Bishop
Appointed Bishop of Díli on 30 January 2016 by Pope Francis, da Silva was consecrated on 19 March 2016 by Archbishop Joseph Marino, with Bishop Basílio do Nascimento and Bishop Norberto do Amaral as co-consecrators.[1] He succeeded Bishop Alberto Ricardo da Silva, who died of brain cancer in 2015.[8] On 11 September 2019, Pope Francis elevated Díli to a metropolitan archdiocese, naming da Silva its first archbishop.[2]
Elevated to cardinal-priest of Sant’Alberto Magno on 27 August 2022, da Silva became East Timor’s first cardinal at age 54, the second-youngest after Cardinal Giorgio Marengo.[4] Appointed to the Dicastery for Evangelization in 2022, he promotes religious tourism and education, including inaugurating East Timor’s first Catholic university in 2021.[3] His progressive theology, emphasizing reconciliation and human fraternity, aligns with Pope Francis’ vision.[3]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diocese of Díli | Diocesan Bishop | 30 January 2016 | 11 September 2019 | Succeeded Alberto Ricardo da Silva |
| Archdiocese of Díli | Metropolitan Archbishop | 11 September 2019 | Present | First cardinal of East Timor |
Significant events
- Entered the Salesians of Don Bosco on 31 May 1990.[2]
- Made perpetual profession with the Salesians on 19 March 1997.[2]
- Ordained priest in Parañaque, Philippines, on 18 December 1998 by Archbishop Peter Turang.[1]
- Earned licentiate in spirituality from Salesian Pontifical University in Rome (2005–2007).[2]
- Appointed provincial superior of Salesians in East Timor and Indonesia in 2015.[4]
- Appointed Bishop of Díli on 30 January 2016 by Pope Francis.[1]
- Consecrated bishop on 19 March 2016 by Archbishop Joseph Marino.[1]
- Promoted religious tourism campaign with East Timorese government in April 2018.[8]
- Faced security threats from Islamic extremists in May 2018.[8]
- Elevated to Archbishop of Díli on 11 September 2019 by Pope Francis.[2]
- Inaugurated East Timor’s first Catholic university, dedicated to John Paul II, on 8 December 2021.[3]
- Elevated to cardinal by Pope Francis on 27 August 2022, first from East Timor.[4]
- Appointed to Dicastery for Evangelization in 2022.[2]
- Key figure in Pope Francis’ visit to East Timor in September 2024.[3]
- Confirmed as eligible for the 2025 papal conclave.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Henning, Christophe (30 May 2022). "Mgr Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, premier cardinal du jeune Timor oriental" (in fr). https://www.la-croix.com/Religion/Mgr-Virgilio-Carmo-Silva-premier-cardinal-jeune-Timor-oriental-2022-05-30-1201217762.
- "Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva". 8 July 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/virgilio-do-carmo-da-silva.
- La Rosa, Angelica (26 April 2025). "Conosciamo il Cardinale elettore Virgilio do Carmo da Silva" (in it). https://www.informazionecattolica.it/2025/04/26/conosciamo-il-cardinale-elettore-virgilio-do-carmo-da-silva/.[](https://x.com/infocattolica/status/1916447749731402024)
Written by the bishop
- No books or major publications by Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva have been identified in available sources, though he has contributed pastoral letters and interviews on education and reconciliation.[3]
External links
- Virgilio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B. at Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B. at Vatican Press
- Cardinal of Dili Archdiocese Virgilio Do Carmo Da Silva at UCA News
- Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva at College of Cardinals Report
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Cheney, David M.. "Virgilio Cardinal do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B.". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bcantoni.html.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B.". 27 August 2022. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_carmo-da-silva.html.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 "Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva". 8 July 2024. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinals/virgilio-do-carmo-da-silva.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "Government congratulates Archbishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva on his elevation to Cardinal". 30 May 2022. https://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=29479&lang=en&n=1.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Piqué, Elisabetta (25 April 2025). "Quiénes son los cardenales que participarán del cónclave". https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/quienes-son-los-cardenales-que-participaran-del-conclave-nid25042025/.
- ↑ Rothenburg, Mariana; Niederauer (21 April 2025). "Cardeal Paulo Cezar Costa fala sobre legado de Francisco e o novo papado". https://www.correiobraziliense.com.br/podcast/2025/04/cardeal-paulo-cezar-costa-fala-sobre-legado-de-francisco-e-o-novo-papado.html.
- ↑ "Virgílio do Carmo da Silva". 30 January 2016. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virg%C3%ADlio_do_Carmo_da_Silva.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Virgílio do Carmo da Silva". 3 February 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virg%C3%ADlio_do_Carmo_da_Silva.