Duarte Manuel Espírito Santo Melo holds a degree in Theology from the Portuguese Catholic University and a Master's degree in Pastoral Health Care from the Camillianum Istituto Internacionale di Teologia Pastorale Sanitaria. He also holds a postgraduate degree in Museology.
He has extensive professional experience in the areas of social, cultural and health. His actions are guided by the motivations of integrating citizens in situation of social exclusion through participatory citizenship.
He served as president of the São José Social and Parish Centre, being responsible for various projects aimed at combating social exclusion, namely the project to support deported citizens and the creation of a support centre for women victims of domestic violence.
He was a founding member of Alternativa Association and Kairós - Solidarity Economy Cooperative. As president of Kairós, he was the founder of Peripheral Creations, developing a wide range of cultural projects, such as: workshops, exhibitions, photomarathon, theatre, conferences and ballet. The "New Creators" Exhibition was organised under the 1st Cultural Fortnight at the Navy Hangar in Ponta Delgada.
He is the president for the solidarity development of the Social and Parish Centres on the island of S. Miguel. He also holds the position of Chaplain - Coordinator of Hospitals and Health Centres of the Azores. Until 2006, he was a member of the Ethics Committee for Health and chairman of the Cultural Committee of the Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, where he developed various cultural activities, such as: exhibitions, concerts and conferences on the humanisation of care. In this area, he organised the I Cultural Conferences - Life with more light and the Azores to Timor art exhibition and auction.
He was a member of the National Chaplaincy Coordination Team.
In 1998, he was honoured by His Excellency the President of the Republic with the degree of Commander of the Order of Merit.
Currently, he serves as parish priest in Fajã de Cima and as Director of the Carlos Machado Museum. He is also a member of the Diocesan Foundation of the Bom Jesus Clinic.