Santos Silva considers Portugal an example of religious freedom and praises Marcelo

The President of the Assembly of the Republic believes that Portugal is a global example in terms of respect for religious freedom, argues that this advantage should be protected, and commends Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for his actions in this matter.

These positions were defended by Augusto Santos Silva in statements to the Lusa agency this Wednesday, on the eve of a colloquium he organized at the Passos Manuel Library in Parliament on the relationship between religious freedom and freedom of expression.

Two in-depth talks are scheduled for Thursday’s colloquium: one from the perspective of the European Court of Human Rights by Judge Ana Maria Guerra Martins, and the other by theologian, professor and researcher Teresa Toldi. These presentations will then be commented on by representatives of two minority denominations in Portugal: Paulo Sergio Macedo (Portuguese Union of Seventh-day Adventists) and Abilene Fisher (Reverend of the Lusitanian Church).

“I realized that we could celebrate Religious Freedom Day, June 22, established by the Assembly of the Republic, with moments of reflection and debate on this topic. To do this, I challenged the Commission on Religious Freedom,” said Augusto Santos Silva.

The former minister of state and foreign affairs noted at the time that Thursday’s colloquium would be the second of three that would be devoted to the topic of religious freedom during 2023.

“The first reflected on the process that led to the approval of the law; the second, on Thursday, examines the always sensitive issues of the relationship between religious freedom and freedom of expression, since freedom of expression can also be used against religions; and we will also have a third colloquium in December,” he added.

In statements to Lusa, the President of the Assembly of the Republic rejected the idea that Portugal is immune to episodes in which freedom of religion and freedom of expression may collide.

“But I say that the situation in Portugal compared to the international situation is very good. Therefore, we must take care of it so that it continues to be very good,” he said, before praising the actions of the President of the Republic in this matter.

“I highlight the excellent example set by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, whose second public act, either at the beginning of his first term or at the beginning of his second term, immediately after the session of the Assembly of the Republic, was a meeting with all religious denominations existing in Portugal. The fact that Portugal is a country known for its tolerance, mutual respect, dialogue between religions has allowed Portugal to score points at the international level,” emphasized Augusto Santos Silva.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic also took the opportunity to note that Portugal hosts the world headquarters of the Ismaili Imamat, and most recently the Center for Interreligious Dialogue moved its headquarters to Lisbon.

“We are well positioned to consolidate and take advantage of the situation we are in, which is very exciting. “Being a country with a very clear religious majority, Catholicism, Portugal is also a country in which freedom of expression and religious practice is complete,” he defended.

In this context, the President of the Parliament then reinforced his thesis by saying that the law on freedom of religion approved by the Assembly of the Republic is “very balanced, advanced and considered as an example at the international level.”

“Portugal also scores points as a country of religious pluralism, in which different faiths coexist harmoniously – and this should be emphasized as a very important feature of Portuguese democracy. The Portuguese state is obviously secular. in a very good position to do what you do: recognize the plurality of religious practices and denominations and at the same time recognize the importance of churches and religious denominations,” he added.