The new Patriarch of Lisbon, Rui Valerio, left the floor to the victims of church abuse this Thursday, assuring them that he shares their pain and is committed to the “zero tolerance” that Pope Francis stands for in these cases.
In the first message addressed to the faithful of the Lisbon Patriarchate, up to now the Bishop of the Armed and Security Forces wanted to emphasize his concern about the cases of abuses in the Church, which this year during the Confirmation in front of the military chaplains, described as “a genuine punch in the stomach” committed ” unworthy members of the Church.”
“I salute the brothers and sisters who have been abused by members of the Church, my brethren; I share your pain, and together we will hopefully continue the path of complete healing of your and our suffering, zero tolerance, ”wrote Rui Valerio in a message published minutes after the announcement of his nomination by the Vatican.
In a text in which he classifies Lisbon as “a capital of youth and a city of hope,” the new patriarch stressed that forever Lisbon’s days “will be days of meeting” and its history “horizons where everyone has a place.”
The first Portuguese Bishop Montfort showed that on this occasion he was overcome by “three feelings”: “fear and trembling” (awareness of his “fragility”), “intention to listen” (fulfillment of the goal of conciliarity) and “joy in service.” .
Rui Valerio also left a message for the youth, warning them not to “shift focus” to “keep the flame and mystique of World Youth Day alive.”
“For the youth and with the youth, we are called to be a missionary and sociable Church, carrying in its heart the ardor of the achievement of all,” the new patriarch wrote.
His message also contains thanks to the Pope for his “encouragement”; To the Apostolic Nuncio for his “support” and to Manuel Clemente for his “encouragement and friendship”, as well as greetings to the Auxiliary Bishops of Lisbon, Joaquim Méndez and Américo Aguiar.
The Vatican announced this Thursday the appointment of Bishop Rui Valerio of the Armed and Security Forces as the new Patriarch of Lisbon, replacing Manuel Clemente, who resigned due to age restrictions.
Rui Valerio, 58, a native of Urqueira, Ourem municipality, was ordained a priest in 1991 in Fatima.
Belonging to the missionaries of Montfort, he was the first Portuguese priest of this congregation to be ordained a bishop.
Manuel Clemente, who has headed the Lisbon Patriarchate for the past 10 years, turned 75 on July 16, the expected age to submit his resignation from the post of head of the diocese. The cardinal will be the Apostolic Administrator of the Lisbon Patriarchate until the canonical inauguration of the new Patriarch, which is scheduled for September 2, Saturday, at 11:00 am in the Patriarchal Cathedral in front of the Chapter.
The solemn entry will take place the next day, Sunday, September 3, at 16:00 at the Jeronimos Monastery.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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