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of the Catholic CHURCH. Summary presentation. in PORTUGAL. P O R T U G A L. 1 of the 28 countries of the European Union . The most southern and western country of Europe. Independent kingdom since 1140. Monarchy until 1910. Democracy since 1974. Population: 10,5 millions
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of the Catholic CHURCH Summarypresentation in PORTUGAL
P O R T U G A L 1 of the 28 countries of the European Union The most southern and western country of Europe Independent kingdom since 1140. Monarchy until 1910. Democracy since 1974 Population: 10,5 millions Area: 92.000 km2
21 d i o c e s e s 18 territorial in the European continent 1 in Azores islands 1 in Madeira islands 1 diocese for the Army
Religious identity of Portugal according to the last census of 2011 81% Catholics Quantity # Quality The second biggest religious group in Portugal 4,6%: Believers in God without any religious filiation
A strong TRADITION waiting for the NEW EVANGELIZATION The History of Portugal, since the very beginning, is inseparable of the History of the Catholic Church «The Portuguese soul is pregnant of the Divine» António Quadroson Fernando Pessoa From Pope Alexander III, 1179, «Manifestis probatum», until Pope John Paul II, «Concordat» 2004. CHALLENGES = providential difficulties laicism, secularism, indifferentism, consumerism, religion as mere tradition/culture or private matter
The answer of the Bishop’s Conference THE WORK OF 7 COMMISSIONS: * Christian education and doctrine of the Faith * Social pastoral and migrations * Culture and mass media *Lay apostolate and family * Liturgy and spirituality * Vocations and ministries * Mission and new evangelization PASTORAL LETTERS AND NOTES: * «On gender ideology» * «Voting for a better Europe»
F A T I M A in the centre of the spiritual geography of Portugal Synthesis of Portugal: Fado, Football & Fátima «An explosion of supernatural» - Paul Claudel «It was not the Church that imposed Fátima, but it was Fátima that imposed itself to the Church» Cardinal Manuel Cerejeira «A phenomenon of multitudes proves quality» Vitorino Nemésio
Answer to the challenges Appropriate and purify the ubiquitous popular religiosity New movements of apostolate «Spring of the Church» Promotion of the dialogue: faith and culture Priority to the young people and families
3 quotations to inspire the present pastoral work Carlo Borromeo «A soul is a diocese sufficient for a bishop» «John, the Church is not yours; it belongs to Jesus Christ. You are not the governor of the Church; it is the Holy Spirit. You must only give Him a little help» Giovanni XXIII «The Church grows up not by proselytism, but by attraction of the testimony» - Pope Francis
…and so comments… questions…