Timor Leste’s Centro Nacional Chega! has honoured the memory and legacy of the late Patrick Walsh, a former Australian YCS chaplain, with a Memorial Mass celebrated at the Cathedral Church of Immaculate Conception, Dili.
Fr Jovito Rêgo de Jesus Araújo presided with Pat’s family and Timor Leste Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão in attendance.
Following the mass, flowers were laid and candles lit at the Comarca Balide.
The Centro Chega! has also dedicated a room to Pat Walsh and his work for human rights in Timor Leste.
Centro Chega!Executive Director, Hugo Maria Fernandes recalled Pat Walsh as ea person full of determination for the lives of many people” who offered himself for the good of many people and who was friends not only to people in high positiouns but also to the most humble.
Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão remembered Pat as “a man with great social conscience who has a moral responsibility to stand with Timorese against injustice.”
He noted that, during the Indonesian occupation, Walsh was not afraid to defend Timor-Leste until its independence.
He continued:
After the Restoration of Independence, he continued to contribute through his work in the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation (CAVR), where he helped document Timorese history and promote truth and reconciliation.
Pat also supported the creation of the Chega! National Center to preserve historical memory, promote human rights education and strengthen a culture of peace.
Pat Walsh died in Melbourne, Australia, on 29 December, 2025 at the age of 83.
Media Chega!.
SOURCE
𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗼’𝗼𝘁 𝗖𝗡𝗖 𝗜.𝗣, 𝗔𝗝𝗔𝗥, 𝗜𝗝𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗜, 𝗗𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗸 𝗵𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗠𝗶 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶á𝗹 𝗯𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗮𝗵,𝗵, 𝗶𝗵𝗮 𝗜𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘇𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗹. (Facebook)
