Every five years, the bishops present a report on their management to the Holy See. The Portuguese Episcopal Conference guarantees having a “realistic vision” of the Church, mentioning sexual abuse.
The Portuguese bishops begin a visit to the Vatican this Monday ad Limina Apostolorumwith an audience with Pope Francis scheduled to close the program next Friday morning.
The visit ad limina It is celebrated every five years – it should have taken place in 2020, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic – and, in addition to the meetings between prelates and the different dicasteries of the Holy See, they also meet with the Pope.
The Code of Canon Law establishes that “the diocesan Bishop is obliged to present to the Supreme Pontiff, every five years, a report on the situation of the diocese that has been entrusted to him.”
In this report, according to information from the Portuguese Episcopal Conference (CEP), the bishops give an account of their efforts to the Pope and the Holy See.
On Sunday, the president of the CEP admitted that the bishops will take a “realistic view” of the reality of the Church, which includes the crisis caused by sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse. The Portuguese Church hid at least three cases in the last 15 years
“We take it seriously, because we believe that you cannot play with people’s feelings and pain,” said José Ornelas, in a joint interview with the Ecclesia agency and Rádio Renascença.
According to the program released by the CEP, the first meeting will be with the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, whose second Assembly will take place in the Vatican in October.
In addition to the meetings in the different dicasteries, the visits to the tombs of the apostles and the meeting with the Pope, there are also A dinner is planned at the Portuguese Embassy with the Holy See.
Source: Observadora
