Massama’s parish priest’s suspension was lifted after allegations of sexual abuse of a minor being investigated by the Catholic hierarchy were shelved, the Patriarchate of Lisbon said on Tuesday.
The Diocesan Commission for the Protection of Minors received a complaint about a possible case of sexual abuse of minors allegedly committed by the parish priest of Massama, Sintra, as announced by the Lisbon Patriarchate on 7 October.
The 64-year-old priest “has suspended the exercise of pastoral ministry in the community entrusted to him, pending the establishment of the truth,” the Lisbon Patriarchate said at the time, stressing that the case “follows its own procedures and in the mystery of justice in the canonical forum, as well as in the Ministry of Glasnost.”
Today, the Patriarchate announces that the diocesan canonical process has been postponed, the case has been closed, and “the current precautionary measures have been discontinued.”
In the same information, he also reports on the notification of the “State Attorney’s Office to initiate a case for sending WhatsApp messages” involving another priest, the chaplain Colechio S. Thomas in Quinta das Conchas in Lisbon.
As regards the canonical process, the Lisbon Patriarchate has stated that it continues to “wait for instructions from the Dicastery”.
“The Lisbon Patriarchate reiterates its commitment to do everything to eradicate this dramatic reality of the abuse of minors, and is always ready to cooperate with the competent authorities, as well as to accompany the victims who so desire,” the note says.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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