Latest news and stories about religious freedom in Portugal for expats and residents.
The President of the Republic considers it fundamental to promote and protect religious freedom and argues that the State has a decisive role. António José Seguro marked Religious Freedom Day by receiving leaders of different faiths in Belém.
The author of the religious freedom legislation highlights concerns regarding efforts to restrict religious practice.
The President of the Republic marked the National Day of Religious Freedom and Inter-Religious Dialogue this Monday at the Belém Palace.
The Head of State gathered representatives from over 30 denominations in Belém and reiterated the call for “middle-ground words” made in his June 10th speech.
President António José Seguro reaffirmed the importance of “middle-ground words” to foster tolerance during the National Day of Religious Freedom and Inter-Religious Dialogue. At a ceremony at the Belém Palace, he praised Portugal's 25-year-old Religious Freedom Law as a cornerstone of the democratic state, highlighting the country's successful model of coexistence among diverse religious communities while warning against societal polarization.
Marcelo, Aguiar-Branco, the Patriarch of Lisbon, an imam, and a rabbi met with students. The Islamic community has grown from 5,000 to over 150,000 since the 25th of April.
José Vera Jardim expressed concerns regarding restrictions affecting the complete practice of religious liberty in Portugal.
Religious leaders mark the 25th anniversary of the Portuguese Religious Freedom Law by emphasizing the value of interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
The president of the Religious Freedom Commission, Vera Jardim, lamented that governments use the Christian religion as a political weapon to attack immigrants and minorities, even against the wishes of religious leaders.
The President of the Religious Freedom Commission says that “there is a capture of Christian discourse for reasons that are not religious” but that use “religion as a political weapon” against foreigners.
The article discusses a recent legislative proposal by the Portuguese political party Chega, which seeks to restrict public religious celebrations—specifically targeting Muslim practices—under the guise of protecting Portugal's 'Catholic identity' and the principle of religious freedom. The author draws a parallel between this political maneuver and a recent incident where US official Pete Hegseth mistakenly quoted a scene from the film 'Pulp Fiction' as a biblical passage, arguing that both instances are performative acts rooted in intolerance rather than genuine policy or faith.
Paulo Rangel's ministry further urged the Israeli authorities to “guarantee and practice freedom of religion and worship.”
António José Seguro made it clear that Portugal is following the events in Jerusalem “with attention” and called for “full respect for the rights of religious communities”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli police this Sunday for preventing the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem from celebrating Palm Sunday mass at the Holy Sepulchre.
Paulo Rangel's ministry also urged Israeli authorities to “guarantee and practice freedom of religion and worship.”
The right debate, in a liberal democracy, is not whether one can pray, but where and how communal prayer takes place in public spaces — and whether, in certain contexts, a rite transforms into political discourse.
Christians constitute the most persecuted religious community in the world; about five thousand were murdered because of their faith in the year 2025.
See the answer in the video. Polígrafo TVI (part of the same group as CNN Portugal) is a fact-checking programme about current affairs.
