catholic church news in Portugal

Portugal: Catholics make up 80.2% of the population in an increasingly pluralistic country

The percentage of Catholics in Portugal is 80.2%, reflecting a shift towards greater religious and social diversity within the nation.

Agência ECCLESIA28 Oct

Sex abuse claims made against Catholic priests have all been archived

After the extraordinary revelations – and the sense of hope – that came from the independent commission set up almost four years ago to investigate child sex abuse within the The post Sex abuse claims made against Catholic priests have all been archived appeared first on Portugal Resident.

Bishop Américo Aguiar: "I am moved when people thank me for WYD"

Bishop Américo Aguiar expresses solidarity with the security forces, but admits that there are excesses that must be avoided. The Bishop of Setúbal also speaks fondly about World Youth Day and how it went.

D. Rui Valério has reinforced conviction regarding the Pope's visit to Portugal

Bishop Rui Valério expresses increased certainty about the upcoming papal visit to Portugal.

Vatican News21 Oct

100,000 pilgrims in Fátima

A crowd of faithful filled the Sanctuary of Fátima at a time when the Pope is facing cancer.

“It is through concrete gestures that peace can start to gain ground”: 100,000 pilgrims in Fátima

A crowd of the faithful filled the Sanctuary of Fátima at a time when the Pope is facing cancer.

Pilgrims pray for the Pope's health

The Archbishop of Braga, who presided over the October 13th Pilgrimage at the Sanctuary of Fátima, invited the world to pray for Leão XIV.

Thousands light candles at the Sanctuary of Fátima to celebrate the apparitions and pray for Pope Leo XIV

The faithful from various corners of the country and the world gather at the Sanctuary of Fátima for the October 12th and 13th celebrations. This year, the dates are also marked by the hospitalisation of the Supreme Pontiff.

Leo XIV to undergo surgery for a nodule. "The Lisbon Church is close and prays for his speedy recovery"

The Patriarch of Lisbon, Rui Valério, reacted this Monday to the announcement that Pope Leo XIV has a pulmonary nodule and will undergo surgery, likely this week, to remove it. Valério stated, “It is as a family that we receive this news and it is as a family that we live this moment: no Christian is ever alone, and we want the Holy Father to know that the Church of Lisbon is close and prays for his speedy recovery.” The Patriarch called for the entire Diocese of Lisbon to unite in prayer, particularly requesting the inclusion of the Pope in Eucharistic celebrations, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and personal prayer throughout the month of October. Additionally, a prayer vigil for the Pope's health will be held this Wednesday at the Church of Nossa Senhora de Fátima, presided over by the Patriarch, and is open to all faithful.

Victim of priest who painted Fátima panel: “Standing before these mosaics is a feeling of inner violation”

Fabrizia Raguso is one of the victims of the Slovenian priest Marko Rupnik, who is accused of the rape and psychological abuse of dozens of women, many of them nuns. She now lives in Braga after leaving the Loyola Community, where she met and allegedly suffered abuse at the hands of Rupnik. She does not understand why the Portuguese Catholic Church is not following the steps of France, which decided to remove the priest's panels from the sanctuary of Lourdes.

Church reinforces its invitation for a Pope visit to Portugal

Bishops meet with Pope and renew invitation for a visit

Private audience of about 35 minutes at the Vatican. Virgílio Antunes says the dialogue was “very friendly” and hopes for the Pope's visit “as soon as possible”.

The Church, Religious Orders and the construction of 'Portugal' - I

How does a secular relationship of friendship, of authentic partnership between State and Church, evolve into a relationship of enmity, heated conflict and divorce, sometimes with violent expressions?

Portuguese pilgrimage to WYD Seoul 2027 already has over a thousand registered, says Church

Fátima, 12 August 2026 (Lusa) - The pilgrimage to World Youth Day Seoul 2027 promoted by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP) surpassed one thousand registrations today, the Portuguese Catholic Church announced.

WYD Seoul 2027 already has one thousand Portuguese youths registered

The pilgrimage “Let's Go Together to WYD Seoul 2027” has surpassed one thousand registrants. The Portuguese Episcopal Conference stated that the number “reflects the desire of Portuguese youths to begin their journey.”

Lisbon: Patriarch remembers Eugénio Fonseca, an "unavoidable figure of social action" for the Catholic Church in Portugal

The Patriarch of Lisbon pays tribute to Eugénio Fonseca, highlighting his essential role in the social work of the Catholic Church in Portugal.

Agência ECCLESIA12 Aug

Alfândega da Fé: National Network of Digital Missionaries of Portugal presented at Lagar d’El Rey

The National Network of Digital Missionaries of Portugal was officially introduced at the Lagar d’El Rey venue in the municipality of Alfândega da Fé.

Agência ECCLESIA18 Jul

It is a wound, a pain for the Church. Bishop laments division following disobedience to the Pope

The Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon, Alexandre Palma, speaks about the schism at risk of occurring in the Catholic Church next week, after followers of Lefebvre announced the consecration of four bishops without the authorisation of Leo XIV

Bishop admits "harsh penalties" for Fraternity threatening to disobey the Pope

INTERVIEW || The Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon, Alexandre Palma, discusses the schism at risk of occurring in the Catholic Church as early as next week, after followers of Lefebvre announced the consecration of four bishops without the authorisation of Leo XIV. The Society of Saint Pius X rejects the measures of the Second Vatican Council and has been in a standoff with the Vatican for several years.

Sexual abuse: Vita Group goes to the Vatican to demand more transparency

The Vita Group is going to the Vatican to request greater transparency in the Catholic Church's decisions regarding cases of sexual abuse.

VITA Group reaffirms "rigour" in its actions and criticises "biased and distorted" public discourse

This is the response to criticisms from the Coração Silenciado Association, which considered that the interviews with victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church were conducted in an intrusive and abusive manner.

Often the Church does not live up to the Gospel

In an interview with Observador, the new president of the Episcopal Conference discusses the next steps regarding the abuse crisis — and admits that at times the Church has taken refuge in rules rather than the Gospel.

Conversion therapies. Vatican gives a 'voice' to a Portuguese layman

Vatican synodal report includes the testimony of a Portuguese Catholic married for 20 years to another man. The document proposes a 'paradigm shift' in the Church's relationship with homosexuals.

Youth: Catholic Church presents a 'reference framework' that aims to 'be a vision for Youth Ministry in Portugal'

The Catholic Church has introduced a new strategic document intended to guide and shape youth pastoral work across Portugal.

Agencia Ecclesia2 May

Portuguese Church marks anniversary of Francisco's death

The Episcopal Conference and the Patriarchate of Lisbon evoke the pontiff's legacy, highlighting World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 and the continuity of his path in the papacy of Leo XIV.

Portuguese bishops express solidarity with the Pope "in a time of tensions and misunderstandings"

The Portuguese Episcopal Conference concluded this Thursday in Fátima.

“There are no closed dossiers in the Church,” says the Bishop of Coimbra, the new president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference

The Bishop of Coimbra, Virgílio Antunes, 64, was elected president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference this Tuesday.

Bishops of Lisbon, Braga, and Coimbra are the strongest candidates to succeed D. José Ornelas

Throughout two terms as president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), D. José Ornelas established himself as one of the most progressive voices in the Portuguese episcopate.

Portuguese bishops meet to elect successor to José Ornelas

Starting today, Portuguese bishops are meeting in Fátima for another Plenary Assembly of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), where the main agenda item will be the election of new leaders.