The leader of Chega, André Ventura, says that firmness is needed in the investigations of sexual abuse in the Church, but asks for “understanding” in the face of the “moment” that the Church “lives”. Speaking to journalists at the Feira de São Mateus, in Viseu, Ventura said he regretted that the successive cases of alleged sexual abuse that have been denounced, in particular by the Observer, are taking place in the Catholic Church, to which he belongs.
“We can react [aos casos] in two different ways: to lament or salute the effort that is being made for truth and transparency”, he began by saying. “I am sorry that this is happening in the Church to which I belong,” she added.
Ventura wants a firm hand in the investigations. “As for the sexual abuse of minors, there can be no barriers. Both the Judicial Police and the Public Ministry must have an open path to investigate without any limit.” But he defends that the Church “has its time” and asks for “understanding” in the face of the moment it is going through.
“The Church has its time, its forms and procedures and I think we also have to have some moment of understanding in the face of the moment the Church is living,” he said, stressing that this “does not mean that we do not have to be very firm on this matter.” .
The reaction comes at a time when news and reports of alleged sexual abuse of minors in the Church are multiplying. Last week, the Observer reported that the current Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, D. Manuel Clemente, became aware of an allegation of sexual abuse allegedly committed by a priest of the Patriarchate who remained in office and did not report it to the authorities. Neither did the previous patriarch, D. José Policarpo.
The Patriarch of Lisbon received a complaint of abuse and met with the victim. But he kept a priest in charge and did not report the case to the police.
Expresso already announced, on Thursday, that six of the 12 priests denounced by a priest for suspected abuse of minors are still active.
Abuses in the Church. Priest will have delivered a list of 12 alleged companions to the independent commission
Source: Observadora
