Erection of the ecclesiastical province of Díli, East Timor, and appointment of the first metropolitan archbishop

The Holy Father has erected the ecclesiastical province of Díli, East Timor, elevating the diocese of the same name to a Metropolitan Church; it will have as suffragans the dioceses of Baucau and Maliana, and has appointed Bishop Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, S.D.B., of Díli, as the first metropolitan archbishop.

Statistical Data

The diocese of Díli occupies the central part of East Timor. It has an area of 4,775 km2, and is divided into five districts. There are 630,176 Catholics, out of a total of 667,331 inhabitants (94.4%), served in 30 parishes, There are 149 priests (63 diocesan, 86 religious). There are 132 men religious and 432 nuns, and 98 major seminarians. The diocese also counts on the service of many catechists.

The new ecclesiastical province of Díli in East Timor will have as suffragans the dioceses of Baucau and Maliana.