On 5 April 2024, the first session of the opening of the Cause for the beatification and canonisation of the Servant of God Brother Bento Manuel Nogueira was convened. The Patriarch of Lisbon, Mgr Rui Sousa Valério, installed the Tribunal tasked with questioning the witnesses recorded on the list submitted by the Postulator General. The Tribunal comprises the Episcopal Delegate, Mgr Francisco José Espinheira (acting on behalf of the bishop), the Promoter of Justice, Fr Mendo Saraiva de Refóios de Ataíde (who, on behalf of the Church, promotes justice, that is to say, guarantees the pursuit of truth and safeguards the common good, the truth), and lastly, the Notary of the Investigation, Brother Adelino Manuel Espadaneira Manteigas, O.H., who is responsible for drafting the minutes of every sessions of the Tribunal. Dr Fernando Pereira Soares Seabra was also appointed as Assistant Notary.

The simple but evocative installation ceremony of the Tribunal took place in the chapel of the Care Home in Telhal – Lisbon. The decision to open the Cause for the canonisation of our Brother Bento Manuel Nogueira on this site was taken because it was here that he had completed most of his formation and later, after his ordination to the priesthood, where he served as Chaplain and Master of Novices and Scholastics. The opening of the Cause is the first step in the process of gathering useful testimonies to establish the Servant of God's life, virtues and reputation for holiness. Father Nogueira has left an "indelible" memory in Nampula, Mozambique, where he performed his ministry as a Hospitaller Brother by the side of the sick and the poor, offering his subtle intellect and wisdom to the diocese, as parish priest, teacher and spiritual director. The opening of the Cause of canonisation has aroused great joy and emotion especially in Nampula, where Father Nogueira is considered by everyone, especially those who had the privilege of knowing him, to have been a special person, a lover of Christ, a tireless evangeliser and a true disciple of St John of God.