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Monday, 07 July 2025 12:13

Timor-Leste Cardinal visits Melbourne

Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva celebrated a special Mass with the Timorese community in Melbourne on Sunday 6 July. This year is the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first wave of Timorese in Melbourne following the Indonesian invasion in 1975. Now there are more than 5,000 Timorese in Victoria.

Almost 1,000 people gathered in Altona for the Mass, some travelling from as far away as Colac and Warrnambool. The Cardinal was joined in the celebration by Parish Priest, Fr Michael Kalka, Fr Deonildo de Andrade (a Timorese priest in residence at Altona Parish), Fr Bruce Clark (Carmelite Prior Provincial), Fr Narcizio Da Costa Vilanova (a Timorese Carmelite studying in Melbourne) and other Timorese priests and religious.

This was the first visit to Melbourne by the Cardinal who hosted Pope Francis on his visit to Timor-Leste in September last year.

During his homily the Cardinal said, ‘Our mission in this world is to bring peace to the human family and harmony to society. In a world full of hatred, revenge, war, and violence, Jesus calls us all to bring joy, peace, and reconciliation, so that we may become bridges that connect loving relationships among all people.

‘God’s field is vast, but the workers are few. Let us pray that He warms the hearts of more Christians with missionary zeal and a missionary lifestyle, so that they give themselves for the Lord and serve their brothers and sisters who are poor, unloved, and in need of attention.’

The Cardinal received a traditional Timorese welcome at the Mass. The cultural performances remind all the Timorese of their identity, Fr Deonildo said, because ‘when they know their identity, then they can share that identity with others. And I think this makes Melbourne more multicultural and diverse.’

‘We face a lot of challenges when we come to a new land,’ said Jose Pirez, vice president of Timorese Associate in Victoria. ‘Different cultures, different languages, different food and of course, the weather! But we are strong and united in two things—two pillars that hold our community and that hold each and every one of us: our culture and our faith. ‘And the [Cardinal] Archbishop being here today helps strengthen each and every one of us so that we can face those challenges.’

More photos below.

More at Melbourne Catholic https://melbournecatholic.org/news/cardinal-of-timor-leste-visits-melbourne and https://www.facebook.com/TimoreseAssociation

 

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