Nearly 30,000 people attended the consecration at Immaculate Conception cathedral, including the secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Indonesia, Msgr.

Novatus Rugambwa, the President of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri, along with Cabinet members and foreign envoys.

He strongly urged the Secretary General to recommend that the Security Council adopt a Resolution under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter to create an international tribunal for Timor-Leste.

[5] On 1 April 2007, the Bishop told some 2,000 young Catholics during Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Dili to commemorate the 22nd World Youth Day, to forgive each other, reconcile and forge ahead in rebuilding their violence-racked country.

[8] In April 2016, the Timor-Leste Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo praised the late Bishop da Silva as well as other Church leaders for their "invaluable and unselfish contribution" in the country's struggle for independence.