Father José Soares Coelho, the oldest priest in the Diocese of Guarda, has passed away.

Father José Soares Coelho passed away this Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the age of 101. He was the oldest priest in the Diocese of Guarda and lived at the São João de Deus Reception Center in Guarda.

Born in the parish of Fiães on March 2, 1924, he studied at the Fundão seminary and then in Guarda. He was ordained a priest at the age of 25 on April 2, 1949, in Covilhã, by Bishop Domingos da Silva Gonçalves.

He celebrated his First Mass in his home parish of Fiães, Trancoso on April 19, 1949.

The funeral ceremonies for Father José Soares Coelho are scheduled for this Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 am, at the Parish Church of Rio Torto, in the municipality of Gouveia .