Communiqué of the Holy See Press Office

The Agreement between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe was signed on Monday 15 August 2022 in Sao Tome, in the “Meeting Room” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Signing for the Holy See was His Excellency Monsignor Giovanni Gaspari, Titular Archbishop of Alba Marittima, Apostolic Nuncio to São Tomé and Príncipe, and for the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Her Excellency Mrs Edite Ramos da Costa Ten Jua, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Communities.

The solemn act was attended by

on behalf of the Holy See: H.E. Monsignor António Lungieki Bengui, Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of São Tomé and Príncipe, H.E. Monsignor Manuel António Mendes dos Santos, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of São Tomé and Príncipe, Rev. Christopher Seiler, Secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Angola and Sao Tome and Principe, Rev. Telmo da Glória Serôdio, Chancellor of the Curia of Sao Tome, and Mrs. Maria Madalena Cravid, Secretary of the Curia.

Ambassador Carlos Castro, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Melany dos Santos, Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Ambassador Mateus Meira Rita, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The Agreement, drawn up in Italian and Portuguese and composed of 28 articles, will enter into force with the exchange of instruments of ratification. It establishes the recognition of the legal personality of the Catholic Church and ecclesiastical institutions and defines the legal framework for relations between the Church and the State.

The Agreement further strengthens the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two Parties, which, while safeguarding their independence and autonomy, undertake to work together for the spiritual and material well-being of the human person, as well as for the promotion of the common good.