By Br. Amilcar da Silva, SDB
Dili, Timor Leste, March 19, 2016 - Today marks another important day in the 500 years long history of Catholic Church in Timor Leste. The new bishop of Dili diocese assumes his ministry. Farther Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, SDB, the former Superior of the ITM Vice-province is ordained to Bishop on the Feastday of St Joseph during the open air Eucharist in Tasi-Tolu, Dili – Timor Leste at 9 AM.
During this celebration participated another seven bishops, including the main celebrant – Apostolic Nuncio, a great number of priest from all 3 Timor dioceses (Dili, Baucau and Maliana), seminarians, religious brothers and sisters as well the dignitaries of the RDTL and government, with thousands of Catholics gathered from all 3 Timor Leste dioceses.
The highlight of the homily, given by Bishop Joseph Marino, the Apostolic Nuncio to RDTL, in particular to the priest and lay faithful of Dili diocese: “Gladly welcome the new bishop, respect him and listen to him. Those who welcome him, welcome the One who sends him and those who reject him, reject the one who sends him.” To the new Bishop: “Remember, that the title of bishop is not a honour, but it is to render service, a Bishop means to serve, not to rule.”
Before the end of the celebration, Bishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva blessed the gathering and expressed his gratitude to the whole People of God of Timor Leste.
The Salesians and members of the Salesian Family of Timor Leste – Indonesia (ITM viceprovince) wish to the beloved confrere and bishop: ‘BOM APOSTULADO’ and assure him with fervent prayers.
In the meantime the Rector Major Fr. Angel F. Artime in his letter to the ITM confreres (March 15) wrote:
'I entrust the diocese of Bishop Virgilio to the protection of Our Lady and send cordial greetings ahead of his episcopal ordination.'
'According the art. 168 of the Constitutions the vice provincial takes the place of the Superior of a Vice province - now from the day of appointment of Fr. Virgilio as Bishop until the installation of the new Superior, the Vice-provincial, Fr. Neto Ornai Apolinario Maria has taken the responsibility as the Superior of the ITM viceprovince in matters of ordinary administration.
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They did no learn at once a lot of things that Jesus taught them, especially about his passion and death. Thus, when Jesus spoke about his passion, Peter protested. Jesus scolded him calling him "Satan". Then Jesus told him to go behind him, that is to say, allow Jesus to walk ahead, and Peter (and his companions) to walk behind and follow him.
When people came to capture Jesus, the apostles ran away. At first, Peter tried to defend Jesus with his sword, but Jesus scolded him saying he must drink the cup his Father was giving him to drink. Later, Peter denied him. After his resurrection, Jesus asked Peter about his love, then told him to feed his sheep.
Only John stayed with Jesus to the end beneath the cross.
After receiving the Holy Spirit, the eleven apostles turned from fearful men to fearless men in proclaiming Jesus' resurrection.
They all considered Peter their leader, and he took the initiative of raising somebody else to take the place of Judas. In prayer, they asked God to show them whom he wanted. They drew lots and Matthias was chosen. With prayer and laying on of hands, they made Matthias member of the group of Apostles.
From the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that Jesus chose Saul, whose name became Paul, to be another apostle.
From St. Paul's letters to Timothy (1 no 2) St. Paul reminded him of the gift he received when he (or the elders) laid hands on him.
Through the ages, beginning with the apostles and on through their successors, they raised men to do the work entrusted to them through prayer and laying on of hands. Now we call these men "Bishops". They are the successors of the apostles in the local church which we now call "diocese".
Vatican Council II, in the document Christus Dominus says: The bishops themselves, however, having been appointed by the Holy Spirit, are successors of the Apostles as pastors of souls.Together with the supreme pontiff and under his authority they are sent to continue throughout the ages the work of Christ, the eternal pastor. Christ gave the Apostles and their successors the command and the power to teach all nations, to hallow men in the truth, and to feed them. Bishops, therefore, have been made true and authentic teachers of the faith, pontiffs, and pastors through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to them.
(For those who do not know Bishop Virgilio: he was my student in English and science when he was first year high school in Fatumaca in 1984. He became a Salesian of Don Bosco in 1990, and studied philosophy in Don Bosco Seminary College, Canlubang, Laguna. He came back to East Timor for his practical training, then studied theology in the Don Bosco Center of Studies in Parañaque. He was ordained a priest in the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Parañaque on the 8th of December 1998.
He was sent to the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome where he earned a master's degree in Spirituality. He came back and was appointed master of novices. Last year, he became the provincial superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco in East Timor and Indonesia. Pope Francis chose him as bishop of Dili on the 30th of January 2016, and was consecrated bishop on the 19th of March 2016, by the Nuncio to East Timor and Malaysia, his Excellency Mons. Joseph Marino, with the two Timorese Bishops as co-consecrators: Mons. Basilio do Nascimento and Mons. Norberto Amaral. Also concelebrating during the consecration Mass were Mons. Virgilio's former Rector at Parañaque and provincial superior of SDB in the Philippines and East Timor, Mons. Francesco Panfilo, SDB; Mons. Hilton Deakin, Auxiliary archbishop emeritus of Melbourne; the bishops of neigboring Darwin, Australia and Atambua, Indonesia.)